The San Antonio Spurs just learned what happens when your second-best, and highest-paid, player struggles to score in the playoffs. De’Aaron Fox was a liability by the end of the Spurs’ Finals run. And if the Los Angeles Lakers end up paying Austin Reaves a max deal, Luka Doncic could be in danger of learning that same lesson.
If Reaves doesn’t shoot well in the playoffs – which he hasn’t done since the Lakers’ Western Conference finals run in 2023 – then Doncic could learn what Victor Wembanyama just did. When your second-best offensive option doesn’t step up at the highest level, then it’s really, really hard to win.
That would be a brutal reality for the Lakers to have to deal with.
De'Aaron Fox showed Luka Doncic what Austin Reaves could become if he doesn't shoot well in the playoffs
Right now, in the wreckage of the Spurs’ ugly end to the season, Fox is being shredded to bits on social media. He didn’t exactly step up when the Spurs needed him to.
In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, with the Spurs’ season on the line, Fox struggled mightily. He scored seven points, shooting an abysmal 3-of-15 from the field and 1-of-8 from beyond the three-point arc.
And to make matters worse, Fox’s performance in the fourth quarter was even more brutal. He scored zero points, shooting 0-of-4 from the floor.
Fox is set to make a ton of money over the next four years: Over $220 million. After his playoff performance (even accounting for injuries), it’s one of the worst contracts in the league.
As the Lakers prepare to give Reaves a massive contract of his own, they need to understand the risks that come with paying a single player that much money.
Reaves hasn’t shot well in the playoffs for the past three years. And the Lakers haven’t made it out of the first round of the playoffs, either.
If Reaves continues to struggle with his shot – especially if the Lakers are primed to make a deep run in the postseason – then Doncic could learn what Wembanyama just learned about Fox.
When your secondary offensive option is struggling to do much on offense, it feels like the weight of the world is on you. That doesn’t usually bode well for playing winning basketball.
The Spurs fell in five games to the New York Knicks, blowing double-digit leads in each of them. It was ugly. And Fox’s lack of offensive production definitely hurt them.
If Reaves struggles, Doncic could make the same, brutal realization.
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