ESPN analyst Jay Williams didn’t hold back in his criticism of Austin Reaves’ defensive struggles during the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After the Lakers were swept out of the postseason with a 110-115 loss in Game 4 on Monday, Williams appeared on Tuesday morning’s “First Take” to discuss the team’s future—and he singled out Reaves’ defensive shortcomings.
Williams argued that Luka Dončić would be better off having LeBron James return next season rather than Reaves. He pointed out that Reaves became a glaring defensive liability throughout the series, particularly when facing the Thunder.
“I’d rather have LeBron back than Austin Reaves,” Williams stated. “You have to build a team around Luka for the future. I saw it multiple times in this series. Reaves had some solid offensive games, but when you break down the film, you see him get targeted on nearly every possession.”
“Mitchell went at him every single time,” Williams continued. “When you bring Luka back, his offense is incredible—so good that it’s easy to overlook his own defensive weaknesses. But you’re investing heavily in two elite offensive players while ignoring their defensive issues.”
Reaves, 27, returned from a Grade 2 left oblique strain to boost the Lakers’ playoff hopes. As Williams noted, the five-year veteran put up strong offensive numbers in the five playoff games he played, but his defense was a major concern.
With the offseason approaching, Reaves is expected to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent. LeBron James will also hit free agency, forcing the Lakers to make tough decisions about rebuilding around Luka Dončić.