The Lakers are in a very different place than they were just eight short months ago.
Los Angeles remade its roster at the trade deadline and embarked on a surprise run deep into the postseason, falling to the Nuggets in the Western Conference finals. Then, the team had a productive offseason, signing forward Christian Wood and luring guard Gabe Vincent away from the Heat.
To Lakers guard Austin Reaves, these moves have given Los Angeles lofty status ahead of the 2024 season.
"We brought in a lot of guys that are super talented. I would argue that we probably have the most talented in the league from top to bottom," Reaves told ESPN writer Zach Lowe on Tuesday's episode of The Lowe Post.
Austin Reaves on the Lakers:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 26, 2023
“I would argue we probably have the most talented roster in the league, from top to bottom.”
(via @ZachLowe_NBA, https://t.co/c6jBTDJi70) pic.twitter.com/n9RRCaE8ET
Reaves cited the Lakers' offseason moves and alluded to the camaraderie the team built throughout their 2023 run.
Nevertheless, the Wichita State and Oklahoma product's bold claim drew a mixture of praise and criticism from sectors of the NBA world.
Some agreed with Reaves, pointing to Los Angeles's considerable depth.
If you watch basketball really, you know he’s not lying if all Healthy like the fact they have 11 guys that can play 15+ mins if they really wanted to is crazy !!! https://t.co/zZvjZsdrDy
— Brotha Boog ‼️ (@GameTimeBOOGIE) September 27, 2023
Others were less enthused.
Bro is more delusional than I am, and that’s saying A LOT https://t.co/tz8S0j6kMq
— Ed (@Oh_ItsEd) September 27, 2023
The dual sentiment that Reaves may have been stretching the truth about a good Lakers team found an audience as well.
No.. but top 3-5 https://t.co/Q4iJWk5Z6e
— Derek💚🌙 (@DerekTDW) September 27, 2023
Even fans of other teams were forced to concede that Los Angeles was in good shape.
not mad at this claim, lakers had the best off season this year https://t.co/iyEzrRLbcZ
— Pusha B (@stussyrecords) September 27, 2023
The defending world champions — set to host the Lakers on Oct. 24 in the first regular-season game of the season — may have different ideas.
He's just setting them up for slander when they get booted by the nuggets again https://t.co/pk37Kzejr7
— Fons 🛸 (@4PFFons) September 27, 2023
