“I just know JJ [Redick] has big plans for Austin Reaves,” Windhorst said during the September 6 episode of his “Hoop Collective” podcast. “Not only that, when there were discussions with the Lakers this summer and teams had discussions with them and Austin Reaves came up it was a hard ‘no.’”

Windhorst noted that Reaves was expected to take a major leap last season. And despite averaging career highs across the board — 15.9 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds — Reaves had an underwhelming season based on the expectations he would pop as one of the league’s brightest young stars following his Team USA stint in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila.

“I just know that JJ really believes in Austin Reaves,” Windhorst said, “and I think he’s going to try to put him in a position to be successful.”

Reaves’ agent, Aaron Reilly, believes that would be the case based on his reaction when Redick’s hiring was announced.

“This coach is about to show a different part of Austin’s game [that] none have you seen. Kept receipts on all that third superstar [expletive]. Great hire for LA – going to be a big year next season,” Reilly tweeted on June 20.