At the onset of the season, a lesser-acknowledged facet of the Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason strategy revolved around banking on Austin Reaves as their third key scorer. Following an impressive postseason showing averaging 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists with notable shooting efficiency, Reaves earned a spot on Team USA, impressing many with his performance.

Amid high expectations and confidence in his potential following both his playoff display and national team stint, Reaves was anticipated to maintain a scoring average above 20 points per game, pivotal in supplementing an aging LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, his initial ten games saw him falling short of these expectations, shooting under 14 points per game with diminished field goal and three-point percentages.

Although Reaves exhibited an upturn in his recent performances after being shifted to a sixth man role, analysts at The Ringer question the Lakers’ reliance on him. Their skepticism stems from two primary factors. First, the Lakers lack a secondary shot creator, creating undue pressure on Reaves for half-court offense, particularly due to limitations in getting the ball to Anthony Davis efficiently.

The burden of creating shots, especially in half-court scenarios, predominantly falls on Reaves due to the team’s structure and lack of additional shot creation beyond LeBron. The Ringer’s analysts express concern over the lofty expectations placed on Reaves, as his skill set differs significantly from primary shot creators in the league.

Their second concern relates to Reaves’ playing style, portraying him as a situational scorer rather than a consistent or high-volume point producer. They highlight his reliance on specific coverages and matchups, indicating his role as one who seizes select opportunities rather than being a consistent scorer across various situations.

The analysis from The Ringer, pointing out Reaves’ divergent skill set compared to primary shot creators in the league, highlights the challenge of burdening him with high-level shot creation expectations. The Lakers’ offense often experiences stagnation, primarily due to their limited shot creation outside of LeBron, emphasizing the potential for ongoing issues.

While Reaves’ new bench role might optimize his situational performance, the rotations and constant mixing of starters and bench players until the final buzzer pose challenges in determining the most effective usage of his skills. The responsibility placed on Reaves within the Lakers’ primary trio of himself, AD, and LeBron, particularly in closing games, may surpass his capabilities, potentially warranting the consideration of a trade for an additional creator.