Austin Reaves has emerged as one of the most improved players this season, solidifying himself as a key contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers' Roster Imbalance: The Case for Trading Reaves
However, after a disappointing first-round exit and persistent roster issues – most notably the lack of a true center and the imbalance between the frontcourt and backcourt – the Lakers now find themselves in a position where trading Reaves might be the most viable solution to their problems.
As much as it may be difficult to part with a player of Reaves' caliber – especially considering how important he has been to the franchise over the past few years – the reality is that if the Lakers choose not to make this move during the offseason, they could face an extremely challenging path toward achieving their long-term objectives.
Reaves' Remarkable Regular Season Performance
Reaves' regular season was nothing short of remarkable, as he recorded career-highs across the board.
He averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting an efficient 46 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three-point range in 34.9 minutes of action.
His ability to impact the game on multiple fronts made him an invaluable asset throughout the campaign.
Luka Doncic's Arrival: Impact on the Lakers' Roster Dynamics
However, the biggest factor that could alter Reaves' future with the Lakers is the arrival of Luka Doncic, a move that significantly changes the team's roster dynamics.
Luka, as great and talented as he is, also has certain flaws that make him one of the most challenging players to build around in the entire league.
Doncic
Doncic
Credit AP - Scanpix
Specifically, his unique playing style, combined with notable defensive issues, requires a carefully constructed roster to maximize his potential while minimizing his weaknesses.
The Lakers, understandably unprepared for such an adjustment after a mid-season trade, struggled to find that balance, which ultimately played a crucial role in their first-round exit and the overall sense of an underwhelming season.
If the Lakers want to make the most of the Doncic era and ensure their future success, they must address these issues as a priority.
Doncic as the Franchise Cornerstone: A New Era for the Lakers
Doncic is now the cornerstone of the franchise – the player they have chosen to build around.
While his arrival was a shocking and transformative move that promised a bright future, that potential could easily be squandered if the front office fails to surround him with the right pieces to complement his game and compensate for his defensive liabilities.
The first and most obvious issue is the defense.
In today's era of mismatch hunting, where opponents constantly exploit defensive weaknesses, it is incredibly challenging to cover for a player like Luka without the proper personnel.
Even with the perfect roster construction, having just one significant defensive liability can undermine an entire team's efforts on that end of the floor.
Therefore, minimizing the damage as much as possible should be a focal point for the Lakers moving forward.
The Lakers Need for a Dominant Presence in the Paint
Furthermore, the Lakers' lack of a dominant presence in the paint has been glaring. During their playoff series, Rudy Gobert made the Lakers look like a college team competing against grown men.
He repeatedly grabbed offensive rebounds and showcased his physical superiority, exposing the Lakers' deficiencies in interior defense and toughness.
Addressing this issue is essential if the team hopes to compete at a high level next season.
Credit AP - Scanpix
Ball-Dominance Dilemma: Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves on the Court Together
On top of that, the combination of Doncic and Reaves brings another challenge: both players are ball-dominant.
Reaves thrives as a ballhandler, possessing elite dribbling skills, a strong finishing touch around the rim, and the ability to create his own shot.
He is a highly effective one-on-one player. However, his strengths are not fully utilized when sharing the floor with another player who excels in similar areas, especially someone like Luka, who naturally commands more usage and on-ball responsibilities.
Reaves' Future Role in the NBA: From Complementary Piece to Lead Player
This situation also raises questions about Reaves' future role in the NBA.
While he has undoubtedly proven himself as an elite third option, it remains to be seen how he would perform as a primary or secondary option on a different team.
Reaves
Reaves
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
Adjusting to Defensive Pressure: Reaves' Potential as a Primary Option
Moving to a situation where he would face the league's best perimeter defenders on a nightly basis, with opposing defenses crafting game plans specifically to limit him, would be an entirely new challenge.
It's one thing to excel as a complementary piece, but stepping into a starring role requires adjusting to being the focal point of opposing defensive schemes.
We're talking about a full-court press on him, next-man help during isolations, constant stunts, and potentially aggressive pick-and-roll coverages like hedging, blitzing, or trapping.
The Challenge of Facing Elite Defenders: Reaves' Adaptability
These are the types of defensive schemes Luka regularly faces, far more than Austin or, frankly, anyone else on the Lakers.
It would be interesting to see how Reaves would handle these challenges, as they would truly test his abilities, reveal his real potential as a player, and highlight his potential limitations.
Understanding how he adapts to this level of defensive pressure would provide a clearer picture of his ceiling and whether he can truly thrive as a primary or secondary option.
The Turning Point: Trading Reaves for the Lakers' Future Success
Trading Reaves, then, could represent a turning point not only for the Lakers but for Reaves himself.
On one hand, it would allow the Lakers to reshape their roster to better accommodate Luka's strengths and mitigate his weaknesses.
On the other hand, it would allow Reaves to see if he can take the next step in his career by becoming a more prominent player elsewhere. Whether he succeeds in that role or not is uncertain, but the growth potential is undeniable.
Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves
Credit AP - Scanpix
Ultimately, while the prospect of trading Reaves may seem daunting given his impact on the franchise, it might be the move the Lakers need to maximize their potential in the Doncic era.
Balancing the roster, addressing defensive shortcomings, and ensuring complementary skill sets around their new franchise player should be the top priority if the Lakers truly aim to contend.
Reaves' departure could be a difficult pill to swallow, but it may be necessary to secure a more balanced and successful team dynamic moving forward
Vukašin Nedeljković
Vukašin played basketball competitively in his youth, and now contributes to Synergy Sports Technology and Sportradar regarding basketball analysis. He also has experience working as a journalist in Serbia and is passionate about writing basketball articles mainly focused on basketball X's and O's.
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