Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
When the Lakers traded for Luka Dončić, they made it clear that he was the future of the team.
As time has gone on, it’s also evident that Austin Reaves is part of that future. He is having a career year, averaging 23.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. With Reaves entering
free agency this summer and reportedly looking to make over $30 million a year, the Lakers are about to commit long-term to him.
But is that the right move?
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we are asking, how confident are you in an Austin Reaves-Luka Dončić backcourt for the future?
Reaves is a homegrown talent and a fan favorite. So, keeping him is an easy move. And, considering he’s gotten better each season, LA would be foolish to let him walk away and not find out just how high that ceiling truly is.
As a duo, Luka and Austin have a plus-minus of +96 on the season. That makes them the fifth-best pairing on the roster. Both players entering their prime together could create one of the best offensive backcourts in the NBA.
Dončić is already on track to win the NBA scoring title and if Reaves was on pace to be an All-Star before injury this season. The two of them very well could become a headache to defend in the Western Conference.
Having this as your starting point when LeBron James inevitably decides what he’s doing with his career seems like a great start to the next era of Lakers basketball.
However, there are some issues with the Reaves-Dončić pairing.
Defensively, neither player is very good. And in the postseason, when physicality is allowed more and Reaves doesn’t get the same type of calls, he’s struggled.
Last year, he averaged 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in the opening round against the Wolves. With his production dipping, LA was unable to beat Minnesota, losing in five games.
In Reaves’ defense, he was dealing with a big toe sprain, but the year before, he had similar numbers in the playoffs against the Nuggets.
During that first round series, Reaves averaged 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists across five games. The rebounding and assists numbers were below his season averages and LA was unable to defeat Denver.
The standard for the Lakers is winning titles, and it’s fair to wonder or be concerned that LA can’t get it done with a weak defensive backcourt and a player who has struggled in the postseason for back-to-back years.
So, what do you think? Is the offensive strength of Dončić and Reaves so good that defensive issues aren’t a big deal? Will going all in on these two as the highest-paid players lead to more titles for the Lakers?
Or, do you have concerns that this pairing is fun in the regular season, but won’t lead to playoff success?
Share your opinion by voting and letting us know down below!
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
