The Los Angeles Lakers are building their future around Luka Dončić as the new franchise cornerstone, but to make a deep playoff run — and ultimately contend for a championship — they desperately need a reliable second star who can create, score, and perform under postseason pressure alongside him.
Dončić has proven time and again he can carry a team to deep runs (2022 WCF with Dallas, 2024 Finals), but the consistent context of those successes? He’s always had another high-level shot-creator and playmaker next to him: Jalen Brunson in 2022 and Kyrie Irving in 2024. The Lakers are hoping Austin Reaves can complete his ascension and fill that exact role.
Reaves is in the midst of a breakout fifth season that’s been unfortunately interrupted by a calf strain (missing 26 games). When healthy, his offensive performances have been mesmerizing:
- 25.4 PPG, 6.0 APG, 5.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.5 3PM
- Shooting: .508/.363/.867
He’s on pace to increase his points, assists, and rebounds per game for the fourth straight season. Last year (2024-25) he averaged 20.2 PPG, 5.8 APG, 4.5 RPG — already All-Star caliber.
But there’s one glaring knock that Reaves hasn’t disproven: he struggles to elevate in the playoffs.
Reaves’ Postseason Reality: Respectable, But Not Star-Level When It Matters
Reaves hasn’t been bad in the postseason, but he hasn’t stepped up the way he did during the Lakers’ 2023 Western Conference Finals run (when he was a breakout fan favorite). Since then, Los Angeles has lost 12 of their past 14 playoff games, exiting in the first round in both 2024 and 2025.
Playoff numbers (last 10 games):
- 16.5 PPG — solid on paper
- But shooting: .441/.301/.885 — a concerning drop, especially from three
These numbers are deceptive because Reaves has often been the third option behind either Dončić + James or James + Anthony Davis. In 2026, with Dončić as the clear No. 1, Reaves needs to prove he can be the reliable No. 2 — especially in clutch moments and elimination games.
Until he does, LeBron James remains indispensable for Los Angeles’ playoff success.
LeBron’s Postseason Excellence: Still a Difference-Maker at 41
James, despite turning 41, continues to be a postseason force. Over the past two playoff runs (2024 & 2025):
- 26.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 2.0 3PM
- Shooting: .529/.370/.762
Those numbers simplify everything for Dončić — elite creation, clutch scoring, defense, and experience. LeBron doesn’t need to be the best player anymore; he just needs to be a star-level contributor when the lights are brightest.
The 2026 Stakes: Reaves Must Prove It Before Free Agency
Reaves is extension-eligible and will command a massive deal this summer (likely 4–5 years, $25M+ AAV). The Lakers need to know if he can be the co-star they’re paying for — someone who can step up in May and June, not just dominate the regular season.
If Reaves can’t consistently deliver in the playoffs (difficult shots, creation under pressure, defensive stops), the burden falls back on James to bail them out — delaying the inevitable transition to the post-LeBron era.
The Lakers have the personnel to recreate Dončić’s successful Dallas formula: Luka as the engine, Reaves as the secondary creator/scorer, and depth around them. But it only works if Reaves proves he can handle the postseason heat.
Until then, LeBron’s value — especially in elimination games — is unavoidable. The Lakers can’t fully turn the page yet.
Lakers fans: Is Reaves ready to be the true No. 2 in the playoffs? Or do the Lakers still need LeBron for one more deep run? Comment your take below and share if you’re watching Reaves closely this postseason!