The Los Angeles Lakers made Austin Reaves the long-term co-star next to Luka Doncic when they agreed to a four-year, $184.7 million contract this summer. Now, Reaves has to figure out how to run the show when Doncic is off the floor and make sure the Lakers tread water. AR has 16 turnovers in the last two games and is averaging 4.8 to 5.3 assists per game after six contests.
The purple and gold don’t need a superstar performance when Luka needs a rest. They were up 23 at the end of the first quarter on Friday night against the Warriors. All they needed Reaves to do was thread water and keep the momentum in LA’s favor. Instead, Luka had to come back 40 seconds early as the advantage had shrunk to 11. Golden State had all the momentum and started blitzing Doncic. AR opened the door to that strategy by struggling to run the show.
Reaves is putting up All-Star numbers. Even after Friday’s issues, he averages 23.8 points, 5.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 35.6 minutes per game. AR has five 20-point games already, and there have been flashes. Reaves just can’t let the contest get away from LA when he’s on the floor. Learning how to manage a new role always takes time.
Austin Reaves is still learning how to be a number two option
Reaves started his career playing next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis before the blockbuster deal that brought Doncic to Los Angeles. LeBron took a backseat to Reaves last season, but King James was still an alpha. The Lakers had three stars. James wasn’t afraid to step up whenever AR struggled.
The purple and gold let LeBron walk as they retooled around Luka. They have nine new players and empowered Reaves to be the unquestioned number two. The Lakers signed Collin Sexton to be their third creator and have had issues finding options beyond those three.
Reaves needs time to adjust to his new role. He has had four or more turnovers in four of the first six games, including having eight giveaways twice. The 28-year-old cannot turn the ball over that much and has to play better when he is the primary creator. The Lakers are built around their offense, so they need Reaves to keep things humming without number 77 on the floor.
Austin Reaves must limit his turnovers
Reaves had 16 turnovers in the last two games and 26 in the four games against the Clippers and Warriors to start this season. He had three against the Jazz and zero versus Portland. The Clippers are known for their stout defenders, and Golden State increased the ball pressure on Reaves. He can’t give the ball away 6.5 times per game over any four-game stretch if the Lakers want to be serious contenders.
AR had six in the first half against the Warriors on Friday as the Lakers turned it over 20 times in the disappointing loss. When the stars are being loose with the ball, it empowers others to step up. That is how Jake LaRavia has three turnovers and zero assists.
Reaves averaged more assists each night last season and only committed three turnovers per game. The Lakers have lived with that. They can’t be competitive with 4.8 each night. The six-plus game has been far more common than three giveaways. That is concerning.
Head coach JJ Redick needs to help out. It might mean calling more plays for the second unit and getting Reaves off the ball more. Whatever it takes to limit AR’s turnovers. It might mean acquiring more help.
Lakers need another shot creator behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves
LA knows they are light on ball-handling. Collin Sexton missed the entire preseason, which forced the Lakers to try Bronny James, Jaden Hardy, and Chris Manon as shot creators. None of them worked. The Lakers are relying on three players to lift the offense, which is unsustainable over the 82-game regular season slate.
Sexton was disastrous against the Warriors. He was the secondary option on the floor when Reaves was running the show. The veteran has to be better at taking over when AR is struggling. The Lakers need one more option to turn to when the offense gets stuck in the mud.
Reaves has become a leader on the Lakers. He is putting up monster numbers, but must limit his turnovers and make sure the purple and gold hold the edge whenever Luka goes to the bench. Doncic is one of the best players in the world. The Lakers will win his minutes. They can’t afford to give those leads back while number 77 rests.
Austin Reaves must learn how to be the number two. There is no LeBron to save him. The Los Angeles Lakers believe AR will get there. It has been a disastrous couple of games, but fans have already seen the flashes. Now, Reaves needs consistency. There can’t be eight turnover nights, so it is time to learn how to fill the co-star role to perfection.
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