The Los Angeles Lakers are quickly learning how to best complement Luka Doncic and thus maximize his superstar value. Many theories have been posed over the years, but one strategy that the Dallas Mavericks employed is proving tried and true.
As the Lakers aspire to surround Doncic with as many defenders as possible, an unavoidable truth is shining through: He needs equal focus to be placed on shot creation assistance.
Doncic deserves credit for taking constructive criticism in stride and becoming a more engaged player on defense. It admittedly began a season ago, when he averaged a career-best 1.8 steals per game, but he's taken it to a higher level in 2025-26.
Despite the improvements he's committed to making, however, the fact remains that the Lakers must surround him with high-level defenders in order to compete at the highest level.
The reality dawning on Los Angeles, however, is that Doncic isn't the type of player who thrives within a lineup that emphasizes defense above all else. Instead, he needs at least one other shot creator to create ideal balance on offense and thus empower the defensive-minded individuals to excel.
As a result, Austin Reaves can comfortably proceed in 2025-26 knowing that he has a golden opportunity to walk right into a max-level contract given his value alongside Doncic.
Luka Doncic needs a shot creator as much as he needs defensive help
The Lakers have rolled out a five-man lineup that conventional wisdom suggests would thrive with Deandre Ayton, Doncic, Rui Hachimura, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart. It's a group that features five players who have excelled on defense in 2025-26 and should thus be ideal complements to Doncic.
Through 47 minutes, however, that group is being outscored by a rate of 14.5 points per 100 possessions and ranks in the fifth percentile in defensive rating.
It's a bizarre development that is seemingly explained by one simple change and that results that follow. By simply swapping out LaRavia for Reaves, that otherwise identical five-man lineup has outscored opponents by 11,2 points per 100 possessions in 38 minutes.
Considering LaRavia has been a strong contributor for the Lakers in 2025-26, it appears to be less about him individually and more a matter of giving Doncic what he needs offensively.
With a second shot creator and playmaker on the court, Doncic shoulders a far more manageable workload offensively. He can conserve energy to contribute on defense and avoid stepping over the line between high-usage and overly ball dominant.
Whether it's Reaves, LeBron James, or an unexpected contributor who emerges in the shot creation role, it's a truth that dates back to Doncic's time in Dallas.
Mavericks already knew Luka Doncic needs another shot creator to thrive
Doncic's Mavericks career was brilliant from start to finish, but there were clear peaks in 2021-22 and 2023-24. Dallas reached the 2022 Western Conference Finals and the 2024 NBA Finals, with Doncic playing at a generational level each time.
The common denominator during those deep playoff runs, however, was the presence of a top-tier secondary shot creator and playmaker.
In 2021-22, it was Jalen Brunson who not only helped Doncic balance the offense, but actually led Dallas to multiple playoff game wins with the superstar sidelined. Brunson, of course, has since gone on to become a two-time All-NBA Second Team selectee and the face of the New York Knicks.
In 2023-24, it was NBA champion and two-time All-NBA honoree Kyrie Irving who helped Doncic run the show as the Mavericks fell just three wins shy of a title.
It's admittedly too soon to compare Reaves to either Brunson or Irving, no matter how well he's played early in 2025-26. The clear reality, however, is that the Lakers need to give Doncic support on both ends of the floor—and not just defensively.
if Reaves proves up to the challenge come the 2026 NBA Playoffs, consider it a foregone conclusion that he'll be paid handsomely by the Lakers for his efforts.