In a recent chat on the Pat McAfee Show, NBA agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports gave a preview of the upcoming Lakers/Timberwolves series. Since Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is his top client, Paul will no doubt be watching them closely this postseason and he believes the Timberwolves posed a very significant threat.
“That’s not going to be an easy one for anybody. Anytime you’re dealing with that youth and size the Timberwolves have,” Paul said. “And Ant being able to be Ant, he can give you 40 any night.”
The Timberwolves made it to the Western Conference Finals last season before being eliminated in a highly competitive series. The Lakers will have home-court advantage in this matchup and they’ll also have their stars to help even out the odds.
“You have the experience with [LeBron James] and Luka [Doncic] being at the level that they play IQ wise but they’ll have to depend on the others as well,” said Paul. “Austin Reaves would be the x-factor in that series I believe.”
The Lakers are an entirely different team after swapping Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic back in February. Overnight, the entire game plan changed for the Lakers and many fans expected them to struggle after giving up most of their frontline.
Instead, the Lakers found success with small ball as Jaxson Hayes held down the interior with his defense and finishing around the rim. Over months, the Lakers found a steady rhythm with Luka and they managed to finish third in the West for the upcoming playoffs.
Their reward? A showdown against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. As winners of three straight games (and eight of their final 10), the Timberwolves have caught fire at the right time and they look like a team poised to make a huge upset in the West.
With the Wolves’ size and depth in the front court (Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle), the Lakers could struggle to control the paint and it will likely lead to a lot of dunks and layups around the rim. Jaxson Hayes can only hold it together for so long against the best big men in the world.
With the best defensive coverage on LeBron James and Luka Doncic, it means that Austin Reaves will be a major factor in deciding the game. With averages of 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game on 46.0% shooting, Reaves has emerged as a reliable star for the Lakers and they will need his scoring to take down the Timberwolves.
If Reaves is at his best and torching Minnesota with his shot-making, it will open up the floor for everyone else and force the defense to take their focus on the other two stars, who will be waiting to go off at the first opportunity.
Only time will tell if the Lakers have what it takes to win it all this year, but they certainly believe that they can get it done as presently constructed. A tough and brutal fight lies ahead but if they can pass this first major test, it will be a major statement about their current standing in the West
