The Los Angeles Lakers have fallen down 0-2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder after a 125-107 loss on Thursday night. While this loss was filled with mostly negatives, it was good to see Austin Reaves get back on track, scoring 31 points for the purple and gold after a tough showing in Game 1.
Despite his stronger performance in Game 2, Reaves is giving the Lakers mixed signals at a pivotal time. AR’s play through the first two games of this series is giving off the same vibe as that ex who texts you on Friday, saying they miss you, and then doesn't respond till the following Tuesday.
Sure, he had 31 points Thursday. That still can't overshadow the fact that he shot 3-of-16 and had eight points in what was an incredibly winnable Game 1.
Another important thing to note is that Reaves has recorded 9 total turnovers through the first two games of this series. Obviously, OKC is a team that lives off creating turnovers, but the majority of AR's turnovers aren't forced and stem directly from his own poor decision-making.
Heading into the summer, the Lakers have a ton of free agents, one of whom is almost certain to be Reaves, as he has a player option for under $15 million. His postseason play is prompting many fans to question his true value entering the offseason.
Austin Reaves may have played himself out of a big-time payday in Los Angeles
Fans have debated which decision will be harder for Rob Pelinka and the front office this season. While many have leaned towards LeBron James being the harder decision, it could be the opposite.
LeBron has shown he can be an elite third option when this group is fully healthy. If he wants to come back, the front office should pay him. Reaves, on the other hand, has been a steady dropper and has a play style that really only sees him thrive when next to another dynamic guard like Luka Doncic.
Reaves is a great scorer, which is why he averaged 23.3 points per game this regular season, but when he is asked to shoulder the offensive load for LA, things look ugly. He doesn't have an elite trait in his bag, and that is incredibly concerning. AR isn't an elite shot creator, scorer, playmaker, shooter, defender, or finisher.
While his well-roundedness makes him a great complement to Luka's game, can LA really afford to give someone potentially $40-plus million per season in free agency to be well-rounded? I don't think so.
On top of not having a truly elite skill in his toolbox, he also isn't some jump-out-of-the-gym athlete. Reaves doesn't have a quick first step that leaves defenses in the dust.
It feels crazy to say, but Doncic missing the playoffs to this point has been a major blessing for the Lakers' future. It has uncovered just how lost AR is without him.
When you have a top-five player in the league and arguably the best point guard in the world, giving a massive payday to another guard can be a major risk. While Reaves has been a great backcourt mate for Luka, LA may be way better off stretching the salary they were going to offer AR into 2-3 different role players.
Although it remains unclear what this offseason has in store for Reaves, if I were Pelinka, this playoff run would really make me rethink my approach this summer.
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