Austin Reaves has found an unusual problem at Lakers training camp: the team’s new defensive additions are making practice miserable for him. After two days of scrimmages, the Lakers guard has already seen what a revamped roster can look like on the other end. 

And if Reaves’ view is any indication, LA may have finally found a way to make it own stars uncomfortable.

Speaking after Wednesday’s practice, AR described the challenge of facing Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero, and Walker Kessler together. 

“Let me tell you, trying to score on Matisse and Ziaire, especially with Adou out there too, and then Walker on the back line, is not easy,” Reaves said, per Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand. “I had to deal with that all day yesterday and today, and it’s not fun. Defensively, we’re gonna be much better. Those guys compete every possession, and everybody else fills in their roles and plays the right way. I see how special we can be.”

Austin Reaves later expanded on the two wings, admitting, “They all annoy the hell out of me,” before calling Thybulle and Williams “two of the best defenders in the league.” He signed out Thybulle’s anticipation and praised both players for being able to guard multiple positions. 

That matters because LA had its biggest issues with defense last season. The team finished 20th in defensive rating at 115.5, while opponents shot 48.3% from the field against them, 24th in the league. 

The roster changes suggest the front office attacked that weakness directly. 

Thybulle brings established defensive credentials, including two All-Defensive Second Team selections, while Williams gives head coach JJ Redick another long wing who can defend across positions.

Speaking of their union, Reaves said, “They’ve got length; Matisse’s anticipation is top tier. I’m excited to have them on our team and see what they can do.”

Both arrived on minimum contracts and are now competing for meaningful minutes in a crowded rotation. Redick has already called Ziaire Williams a “pest” and praised his physicality and instincts. 

“He’s a pest; he’s disruptive. He’s got great length. I think even going back to September when we watched pickup games, and through the first two days of camp, his physicality stood out,” JJ added.

The Lakers did not stop at the perimeter. 

Adou Thiero gives them another athletic defender who can pressure ball handlers and switch onto a variety of players. Meanwhile, Walker Kessler provides the back-line rim protection. 

Austin Reaves specifically mentioned having to deal with that combination during pickup games and camp, which gives a glimpse into what the Lakers are trying to create. 

Thiero’s development is especially interesting. 

The second-year forward had only 183 minutes as a rookie because of injuries. But Redick said his summer progress had been “unbelievable.” Now he is getting a full training camp after an offseason focused on improving his understanding of the game.

Kessler gives the group a different kind of presence. The 7-foot center is one of the players Redick has guaranteed as a starter alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. And his job behind the aggressive wings is straightforward: clean up the possessions that make it difficult. 

That combination can change how the Lakers defend.

A perimeter player can press higher knowing there is length behind him. Meanwhile, the wings can attack passing lanes without leaving the rim completely exposed. Even if the player bypasses the wings, the seven-foot guardian takes care of the rim. 

Redick said the team’s wings have already set a tone through physicality, disruption and disciplined assignments. 

For Austin Reaves, the experience is almost a built-in scouting report. He gets to test his drives and decision-making against some of the team’s best defensive options before facing them becomes someone else’s problem.