The Los Angeles Lakers’ starting backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves proved to be an extremely effective duo this season, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The two were the highest scoring duo in the NBA and were excellent at working off each other, having great chemistry and lifting each other and their teammates with their level of play.
For as good as they are offensively, however, many have brought up concerns about their ability to hold up on the defensive end. But in the eyes of the Lakers, those concerns are overblown as long as the other roster needs are addressed, via Dan Woike of The Athletic:
Provided the Lakers address other needs on the wing and at the rim, defensive concerns about a Dončić-and-Reaves pairing are overstated, one team source said.
While Doncic and Reaves will never be considered defensive stoppers, some of the criticism has gone a bit overboard, especially considering the Lakers fielded a solid defense for much of the year. Reaves has always given excellent effort on defense and is regularly amongst the league leaders in charges drawn while Doncic was much-improved this season as well and was far from the lazy defender many make him out to be.
The key, as was pointed out, is that the Lakers address their other needs in that area. The team was at their best when they moved Marcus Smart into the starting lineup and he took on that primary defender role. Having a player like that, along with a true rim protector, will more than make up for the perceived defensive liabilities some feel Doncic and Reaves are.
Many of the league’s top players aren’t great defenders, but Reaves and Doncic are solid team defenders who use their IQ to be in the right positions and still make things tough on the opposition. If the Lakers are able to surround them with good defenders, those concerns will be erased and the team will be competitive on both ends of the court with Doncic and Reaves leading the way.
Teams emerging as Austin Reaves suitors in free agency
Of course, the Lakers must prioritize bringing back Reaves this offseason as the guard will be an unrestricted free agent expected to draw plenty of interest around the league. And there are already teams emerging as potential suitors, including a pair of Eastern Conference playoff teams looking to take a leap into the next level of contention.
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