Austin Reaves, Austin Reaves return timline, Lakers
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Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts for a LA Clippers foul during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
The Los Angeles Lakers steadied the ship Tuesday night.
After a brief but concerning three-game slide, Los Angeles responded with a 141-116 blowout win over the Atlanta Hawks, a performance that looked far closer to the team’s early-season version than the one that had recently sputtered.
The shooting finally arrived. The ball popped. The margin was decisive.
Still, the larger questions surrounding the Lakers have not disappeared.
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins believes Los Angeles is approaching a pivotal stretch, one that could force difficult conversations about the roster’s long-term shape. At the center of that discussion is Austin Reaves.
Why Perkins thinks the Lakers face a real decision
Kendrick Perkins, Boston Celtics centre turned NBA pundit
GettyKendrick Perkins, former NBA champion and Boston Celtics center.
Perkins’ comments are not a reaction to Tuesday’s win. They are rooted in a broader evaluation of the Lakers’ season and how they stack up against elite competition.
Speaking on the Road Trippin’ podcast, Perkins pointed to an issue he believes opposing teams already understand.
“The Lakers need athleticism,” Perkins said. “Any team with athletic wings and guards that can push the pace is going to give them problems.”
That concern was most evident in a December loss to the San Antonio Spurs, a game that tilted early and never recovered. For Perkins, the result reflected a structural limitation rather than a bad shooting night.
His conclusion was not about benching players or reshuffling rotations. It was about asset management.
The Dončić–Reaves stretch that changed the conversation
Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic
GettyAustin Reaves and Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the best duos in the NBA today.
Before LeBron James returned to the lineup earlier this season, the Lakers showed something that mattered.
The pairing of Luka Doncic and Reaves functioned smoothly, efficiently, and at times at an All-NBA level. The offense flowed. Spacing improved. Responsibilities were clear.
That stretch offered a glimpse of a future version of the Lakers, one built around Doncic with Reaves as a trusted secondary creator.
LeBron’s return naturally altered that balance. That is not criticism. James remains one of the greatest players the league has ever seen. But at 41, the long-term timeline is no longer theoretical.
That reality is what Perkins is asking the Lakers to confront.
Why the contract timeline matters
Reaves is eligible for a significant extension following the 2025–26 season. If his trajectory holds, the price tag could approach max territory.
Perkins framed the issue as a business decision rather than a basketball one.
“If I’m the Lakers, I’ve got to make a business decision,” Perkins said. “Do you want to give Austin Reaves max money and have him and Luka tie up most of your cap?”
It is not a question about Reaves’ value. It is a question about flexibility.
If Doncic is the franchise’s long-term engine, every major commitment must be evaluated through that lens. That includes whether tying up significant money in a backcourt partnership limits the team’s ability to address athleticism elsewhere.
Why the Lakers’ Win Over the Hawks Showed Both Upside and Volatility
Tuesday’s win over Atlanta illustrated why this debate is not urgent, but unavoidable.
The Lakers entered the game shooting a league-worst percentage from three. Against the Hawks, the numbers flipped. Los Angeles hit 19 of 34 from deep and scored 81 first-half points, its highest output in any half this season.
Doncic set the tone early, and the result was never in doubt.
It was a reminder that the Lakers’ ceiling remains high when the offense is aligned. It was also a reminder that one game does not erase weeks of uneven play.
Final word
Kendrick Perkins is not calling for an immediate Austin Reaves trade.
He is pointing to a decision the Lakers may soon be forced to make.
LeBron James remains capable of changing games, but the future belongs to Luka Doncic. Austin Reaves has shown he can thrive alongside him at a high level. The question for Los Angeles is whether that partnership represents the best long-term foundation, or whether roster balance and athleticism eventually demand a harder choice.
Tuesday’s win buys time.
The decision itself is still coming.