The Lakers paying Austin Reaves top dollar should be contingent on him addressing his defensive flaws.
If the Los Angeles Lakers are going to compete for a championship, then they must determine if Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic can coexist on defense. Their offensive proficiency and chemistry have been nothing short of electrifying, but their respective defensive woes are becoming impossible to overlook.
With Reaves headed for unrestricted free agency and a lucrative new contract, the Lakers must figure out if his defensive shortcomings can be rectified before they're locked into a new deal.