In such a competitive NBA, it is necessary to have multiple top-tier players, and not all franchises have a true Big 3 where the third piece is able to adapt and complement the two main figures. Austin Reaves seems very comfortable in that role with the Los Angeles Lakers, alongside Lebron and Doncic, but is he the best third sword in the entire NBA?
To debate this, the first thing to do is to look at the standings of both conferences and analyze who could be the third-best player from the title-contending franchises. Jrue Holiday or Kristaps Porzingis on the Celtics, Darius Garland or Evan Mobley on the Cavs, Chet Holmgren on the Thunder, or Mikal Bridges on the Knicks could easily rival Reaves. More doubts may arise with the Nuggets, featuring Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Jr, as well as the Clippers, with Ivica Zubac or Norman Powell.
Beyond those names, it's challenging to think of a player who fits so well with the playing styles generated by the two main stars of his team. Austin Reaves is managing to find his game moments, intelligently deciding when it's time to take the lead by creating his own shots and when to yield sovereignty and capitalize on the spaces created by Lebron and Doncic. Ultimately, a blessing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Austin Reaves, ¿el mejor tercer espada de toda la NBA?