Austin Reaves' name has been a big part of the NBA conversation this month. With LeBron James still working his way back from a groin injury, Reaves has taken on a larger role in the Los Angeles Lakers' offense.
Reaves, 26, has stepped up his game, averaging 30.8 points, 7.0 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.3 made 3-pointers per game in his last four games. The Lakers have won back-to-back games, and will look to make up ground in the Western Conference when they take on the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Reaves' stellar play has led to debates if the 6'5" shooting guard is the best third-option in the NBA. On Wednesday, former NBA player, and perennial sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams, made his thoughts on Reaves perfectly clear on "Run it Back" on FanDuel TV.
"This is not a diss to Austin Reaves, he's not even the best 3rd option in Los Angeles. Would you take [him] or would you take Norman Powell? ... He's a great option 3rd option for the team that he plays for."
- Lou Will
(h/t @ClutchPoints )
pic.twitter.com/d2Fg4sUUYj
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 19, 2025
"This is not a diss to Austin Reaves, he's not even the best third option in Los Angeles. Would you take Austin Reaves, or Norman Powell?...He's a great third option for the team that he plays for," Williams said.
Williams appears to be responding to Stephen A. Smith's comments from Tuesday's "First Take" on ESPN.
"Austin Reaves is the best third-option in the entire NBA," Smith said.
The idea is that Reaves, when operating behind LeBron James and Luka Doncic, is the best third-player on any team in the NBA. Williams seems to believe Norman Powell, playing behind James Harden and Kawhi Leonard for the Los Angeles Clippers, is a better third-option than Reaves.
Reaves has yet to comment on the debate while his focus presumably lies on Wednesday night's crucial showdown with the Nuggets. Heading into their final regular-season-matchup, the Nuggets lead the season series against the Lakers (2-1). With just 15 games remaining for the Lakers, every game is imperative for playoff seeding, as the Lakers sit just one game back of the Nuggets.
Reaves will remain in his current role with the starting lineup (as the second option), as James is expected to miss approximately one more week per reports.
Related: Austin Reaves Sends Strong Message Ahead of Lakers-Nuggets
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This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 3:09 PM.