If you’re trying to figure out what the Lakers are doing with their backcourt, you’re not alone. The pairing of Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic has sparked plenty of conversation - and not without reason.
On paper, their skillsets don’t exactly complement each other. In fact, they’re almost polar opposites in terms of strengths and weaknesses, which makes for a fascinating - and at times frustrating - on-court dynamic.
But here’s the thing: while the fit isn’t perfect, the results speak louder than the hypotheticals.
Let’s start with the obvious. Reaves and Doncic are both ball-dominant guards who thrive with the ball in their hands.
Neither is known for elite defense, and when they’re on the floor together, opposing offenses can find plenty of soft spots to attack. That’s the downside, and it’s been acknowledged by just about everyone around the league - analysts, fans, and yes, even within the Lakers' own building.
Still, the Lakers aren’t panicking. Nor should they.
Despite the stylistic overlap and defensive concerns, the numbers tell a more optimistic story. In the 452 minutes Reaves and Doncic have shared the floor this season, the Lakers are outscoring opponents by 7.3 points per 100 possessions.
That’s not just solid - that’s elite territory. For context, only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder boast a better net rating than that right now.
So the idea that this duo can’t work? That’s not backed by the data.
In fact, it’s already working - or at least it was before Reaves went down with a calf strain on Christmas. Since then, the Lakers have been treading water, hovering around .500 and struggling to find consistency.
Their overall net rating sits at minus-0.8, which ranks 17th in the league. That’s not where they want to be, especially for a franchise that measures success in championships, not moral victories.
But again, the pairing of Reaves and Doncic isn’t the issue. It’s the pieces around them that need fine-tuning.
This is where things get tricky. Building the right supporting cast around two ball-handlers who aren’t defensive stoppers requires precision - and a bit of creativity.
The Lakers’ margin for error is slim, especially with limited trade assets and cap flexibility. But that doesn’t mean they need to blow it all up or entertain wild trade scenarios involving Doncic.
That’s not on the table - nor should it be.
What the Lakers need is patience and smart roster construction. If the right trade offer comes along that helps balance the roster - maybe involving Reaves, maybe not - they should listen.
But the idea of breaking up this backcourt just because of some stylistic redundancy? That’s not the move.
Instead, the focus should be on maximizing what’s already working. The Reaves-Doncic combo has shown it can deliver high-level offense. The challenge now is finding defenders, floor-spacers, and role players who can complement their game and cover for their weaknesses.
And here’s the good news for Lakers fans: this doesn’t have to be solved overnight. If the front office commits to Reaves long-term, they’ll have multiple opportunities to get this right - through trades, free agency, and internal development.
Bottom line: Reaves and Doncic may not be a textbook fit, but in today’s NBA, where versatility and offensive firepower often outweigh traditional roles, they’re a duo worth building around. The Lakers just need to get the rest of the roster in sync.