Austin Reaves Discussion: Will He Stay Or Will He Go?

When Lebron is gone, Luka will play the 3/4 on defense. Get POA and wing defender that can take either forward position and crisis averted.

 

Luka isn't backcourt on defense even now, or at least, shouldn't be by the end of the season (or even the beginning of the season, outside of the opening minutes of each half).

On defense we should look like:

POA/stronger guard: Smart, Vincent, Vando
Weaker guard: Austin, Vando
Stronger forward: Rui, LeBron
Weaker forward: Luka, LaRavia
Center: Ayton, Hayes, Kleber, Rui

This formula should hold true for the future as well, so it doesn't matter if Luka+AR is a weak backcourt defensively, bc Luka would be guarding the weaker F and Austin the weaker G. In the future it should be:

Smart or better
Austin
Rui or better
Luka
Ayton or better

If LaRavia, Thiero, or Bronny develop, that would be really helpful, as they could fill some of those roles, at least for bench minutes.

 

I am.
I love both players. They both bring a smile to my face when I get to witness their greatness on the floor.
As others have said, it’s up to the FO to surround them with great defenders who can either shoot or finish a lob.