The Los Angeles Lakers had a whirlwind 2024–25 season. A 50–32 record secured them the third seed in the Western Conference, but their playoff run ended abruptly in the first round despite the blockbuster midseason trade for Luka Dončić. Amid all the change, Austin Reaves remained a steady contributor. Yet as the new season begins, his role may never be more important — or more uncertain.
This year will be about adaptation. If Reaves can take the leap into being Luka’s reliable backcourt partner, the Lakers could find the perfect balance between star power and stability. If he can’t, his role could shrink, and the team’s long-term plans might move on without him.
Why Austin Reaves Will Be the Biggest X Factor for The Lakers
Austin Reaves — The Definition of Reliability
Reaves entered last season with high expectations after proving the year before that he could be a difference-maker on a winning team. In 2023–24, he averaged nearly 16 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, carving out a vital role in the Lakers’ rotation.
To start 2024–25, he stepped into the role of lead guard alongside D’Angelo Russell, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis — and fit in seamlessly. He became the secondary scorer when the team needed an offensive spark behind LeBron and AD, and he served as the connector, linking the offense’s many moving parts: LeBron’s all-around brilliance, Davis’s physical dominance, and Russell’s perimeter shooting.
Even on defense — an area that isn’t his natural strength — Reaves embraced the challenge of chasing point guards and sharpshooters through screens. He wasn’t flashy, but he was dependable. Whatever the Lakers needed on a given night, Reaves delivered.
Then came the most shocking trade in NBA history — Luka Dončić to the Lakers. Many expected Austin Reaves to be part of the deal. The Mavericks needed a point guard to replace Luka, and the Lakers’ biggest bargaining chip outside of Davis was Reaves. Yet GM Rob Pelinka managed to keep him in Los Angeles, and Reaves showed why.
He adapted to a system where his role could overlap with two of the most ball-dominant players in the league — Luka and LeBron. When both were on the floor, Reaves excelled at spacing the floor, knocking down open shots, catching the ball on the move, and attacking closeouts. When paired with just one of them, he shifted into a secondary playmaker role, creating for himself and others. Thriving in a system built around three players who can all score and facilitate at a high level is no easy task, yet Reaves made it look natural.
Playoff Struggles and Defensive Questions
Despite his steady production in the regular season, the playoffs raised new concerns. All of his averages dipped, and his field-goal percentage dropped significantly. He maintained his role as the connector when sharing the floor with LeBron and Luka, and as the secondary playmaker when one of them sat. But perhaps due to the constant shifts in his responsibilities throughout the year — combined with the heightened pressure of the postseason — his performance fell short of expectations. By his own admission, he didn’t deliver at the level he hoped for.
On the defensive end, his limitations were even more glaring. Opponents frequently targeted him in pick-and-rolls, often pairing him with Luka in actions that forced the Lakers’ two backcourt guards into difficult situations. This is a problematic formula for a team with championship aspirations, as it leaves them vulnerable against elite perimeter scorers.
For Austin Reaves to cement himself as a vital part of the Lakers’ future, he’ll need to earn more trust on the defensive end — not just through effort, but by becoming a reliable component of the team’s overall defensive scheme.
The Marcus Smart Factor
When the season ended, one of the Lakers’ clearest priorities was shoring up their perimeter defense. So when former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart became available, he quickly rose to the top of their target list. Smart can guard positions one through four, and his defensive versatility makes him a natural fit for high-pressure playoff moments.
That versatility could also directly impact Austin Reaves’ role in crunch time. With Luka Dončić and LeBron James carrying the offensive load, the Lakers may lean more heavily on defense when the game is on the line — and that’s where Smart could be the preferred option. His presence means Reaves’ minutes in the clutch will now be evaluated not only on his offensive contributions, but also on whether he can hold his own defensively alongside two ball-dominant stars.
The Ultimate X-Factor Test
This season could be the defining moment of Austin Reaves’ career. He has the tools and skill set to be Luka Dončić’s long-term backcourt partner in Los Angeles — shooting ability, self-creation, the vision to set up teammates when needed, and the off-ball movement to thrive alongside a ball-dominant superstar. On paper, it’s the blueprint of an ideal modern NBA lead guard. If he can take another leap on offense — becoming more clutch in big moments and producing even when defenses focus on him — his future with the Lakers could be secure for years to come.
But the flip side is just as real. If his season mirrors last year — steady offensive contributions but lacking the composure and impact needed in the playoffs — his role could be reduced. His ability to hold his ground defensively against elite matchups, like Anthony Edwards in last year’s postseason, will be just as critical as his offensive production. The question is simple but career-defining: will Austin Reaves make the leap and lock himself in as a cornerstone, or will this season set him on a path to another franchise?
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