The Los Angeles Lakers roster LeBron James and Luka Dončić, two of the biggest superstars in the NBA. Since the Mavericks sent Dončić to LA in a blockbuster trade this February, J.J. Redick’s squad has been playing some of the best basketball in the entire league.
Many fans view James and Dončic as the two most important players on the team, given their individual accolades and impact on the game. However, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins believes that neither of them is the Lakers’ real X-factor.
Kendrick Perkins’ Bold Lakers Claim
Everyone knows that James and Dončić are two of the most fearsome stars in recent history. But for the current Lakers team, Perkins thinks Austin Reaves is more meaningful than anyone.
“Yes Luka and Bron are the Best Players on the Lakers but Austin Reaves is the most IMPORTANT Player,” Perkins tweeted.
The analysis came after LA’s March 29 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. In the contest, Reaves scored a game-high 31 points, adding eight assists and seven rebounds. He shot 8-for-16 from the field (5-for-8 from 3-point range) and connected on all of his 10 free throw attempts. He led them to a win and was easily the best player on the floor for LA.
Reaves is having a career season in 2024-25, but his stats have seen an uptick since the Lakers acquired Dončić. Dating back to Feb. 1, Reaves is averaging 23.1 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game in 25 appearances.
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When Dončić joined the Lakers, many questioned how he and James would share playmaking duties. But their on-court chemistry has been strong, with LeBron adapting to a more off-ball role at times while still serving as the team’s leader. Their dynamic has also opened up opportunities for players like Reaves, who has thrived with less defensive pressure.
With Dončić garnering tons of defensive attention from opposing teams, Reaves is now able to play freely and more efficiently within the offense. Not only is he a capable scorer, but he has improved tremendously as a facilitator.
An undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma, nobody anticipated Reaves to become as good of a player as he is. He is working his way toward a massive contract extension once James retires.
While Perkins often posts some outlandish takes, this one is not far-fetched. James and Dončić must continue to play at a high level for the Lakers to barrel through the competition in the Western Conference Playoffs, but Reaves’ performances could determine whether they can win their 18th championship in franchise history.