One look at Austin Reaves and the idea of an elite perimeter defender is certainly not one that people would be quick to arrive at. Granted, that assessment about the Los Angeles Lakers guard would be correct. The issue is with the scales being tipped too far in the other direction.
Questions about Reaves' fit next to Luka Doncic have circulated abundantly due to his defensive shortcomings. While it is true Reaves is not a shutdown defender by any stretch of the imagination, the issues on that end have more to do with roster construction and team management than the Lakers guard as an individual.