Austin Reaves leading the second unit as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate is a nice dream. At the end of the day, though, that is all it is. No more. No less. It is not happening.
The message that is sent by shifting one of the pivotal stars of your team to the bench during a contract year is the wrong one. It would be the type of decision that would genuinely invite Reaves to consider alternatives to staying with the Los Angeles Lakers when 2026 free agency hits.
They cannot afford to be that bold with their talented offensive guard. Unlike this offseason, teams will have money to spend in 2026. Reaves has already turned down the Lakers' extension offer, knowing there is a path to a much bigger payday by testing the free agent market.
Why stick around for a sixth man role in Los Angeles when other teams would have opportunities for both the money and Reaves to be treated like a star? That is not a question the Lakers should allow their soon-to-be free agent to ask himself at any point between now and the summer of 2026.
Lakers already know Austin Reaves’ true place on the roster
The subject of Reaves remaining a starter was touched on during Jovan Buha's recent podcast episode discussing the main group that should begin every night on the floor. There was little debate for the Lakers reporter as to where the 27-year-old belonged.
Buha said, "Austin is a no-brainer starter. ... He's clearly the Lakers' third best player. The gap between Austin at three and whoever you want to put at four is bigger than whoever you put at four and whoever you want to say is [five]."
The Lakers insider mentioned the discussion could be different if the team had a 'clear two-way stud.' Buha offered Herb Jones, Danny Green, or even Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as examples here.
If that was the case, and that was who Reaves was battling, there could be more debate. That is just clearly not the dilemma Los Angeles must navigate.
Reaves has been previously rumored to be prioritizing a return to the Lakers. Now is not the time to give him second thoughts. The continued approach of treating him as a franchise cornerstone is the best option for Rob Pelinka, JJ Redick, and company.
The Lakers guard will be asked to take on a vital offensive role next to Luka Doncic in hopes of preserving LeBron James throughout the regular season. Reaves is also a much better defender than those arguing against him and Doncic co-existing are willing to admit. This is just not a guy meant for the bench at this point of his career.