If the Los Angeles Lakers are serious about winning now, they might have to make an uncomfortable call. That means starting Marcus Smart over Austin Reaves.
That sounds like a bold statement, maybe even a little controversial. When you break it down, it actually makes a lot of sense.
Kevin O'Connor nailed it on The Kevin O’Connor Show when he said, “The issue with this Lakers team with Austin Reaves in the starting lineup next to Luka [Doncic] and LeBron [James] is his shot creation becomes a bit redundant.”
Smart complements Luka and LeBron in ways no one else can
Doncic and James are two of the highest-usage stars in the league. There is only so much ball to go around, and Reaves’ game, as good as it is, thrives with touches. He just does not get that playing third wheel.
Smart, though? He fits around stars. Just look at what he did next to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown when he was on the Boston Celtics. He defends, screens, moves off the ball, and does not need to shoot 15 times to make an impact.
“Smart can be an off-ball screener…a defensive weapon,” O’Connor continued.
That is exactly what this Lakers starting five needs more of, especially on the perimeter. Legend of Winning also agreed with O’Connor, pointing out the long-term implications.
LOW said, “Marcus Smart is probably a much bigger difference maker for the Lakers, especially in the backcourt.”
The solution? Let Reaves run the second unit. Give him the ball. Let him create. The bench needs offense, and he can lead that group the same way a player like Manu Ginobili did back when he was playing on the San Antonio Spurs. It would turn one of the weakest bench units into a real strength.
Doing something like this comes with complications. The main complication would be that Austin Reaves is in a contract year. That alone makes this a tough sell.
Moving him to the bench, even with a promise of big minutes, will not be easy when he is trying to maximize his next payday. Optics matter, and the reality is that being a starter carries weight.
Still, if the Lakers are focused on winning, they will have to weigh short-term comfort against long-term upside. The ideal rotation might not include Reaves in the opening five, but it absolutely includes him being featured. It may just not always be where he might expect it.