Austin Reaves thinks Lakers offense can be ‘a thing of beauty’ with Luka Dončić

Fans got a glimpse of how great the Lakers offense could look like with Luka Dončić on Monday against the Jazz.

In the long history of the NBA, there’s almost certainly never been an offense to feature two players like LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

The pair are two of the best passers the game has ever seen and both are still operating at high levels. It makes it feel like the sky could be the limit for the Lakers on that end of the court.

Monday was the first time fans — and the team itself — could see those moving pieces on the floor together as Luka debuted against the Jazz in a blowout victory. Even if it came in small glimpses, it was enough to leave everyone excited about what could come.

“I just think it could be a thing of beauty,” Reaves said of the offense, “the way we can manipulate the game on the offensive end and get what we want every single possession. Luka is one of the best passers in the world… I think it’s just the high-level IQ going along with pieces that really fit, we can shoot the ball, pass the ball and really play the game the right way.”

There will be some growing pains of LeBron, Luka and the Lakers learning how to work around one another. But when you have greats of the game, they can adapt and still be some of the best in the world.

There will also be a challenge on head coach JJ Redick to help put his team in the best position to succeed. But, he, too, showed his ability to adapt to a new team by putting his best players in spots to succeed to make the Lakers a potentially dangerous side this season.

“Yeah, we ran horns one time with the three of those guys in the horns and Rui [Hachimura] got a wide open three,” Redick said of the above play. “You’re going to have to make some tough decisions. Certainly, there are certain defenses and defenders that will force us to be really crisp and sharp with our execution, but you feel comfortable with those three guys as creators.”

It’s hard to imagine what you can do defensively in a scenario like the above. Having a ballhandler who just scored 45 points one game prior pass to the guy who was the MVP frontrunner coming into the year who passes to the arguable GOAT of the game...like what do you do?

Both Luka and LeBron are also cerebral enough and can read the game in ways that will allow them to manipulate the defense, as Reaves said, and put teammates in spots to succeed.

Even if it was a small showing as Luka slowly makes his way back from injury, Monday showed just how lethal this Lakers team could be offensively by season’s end.

FOCO Releases Luka Doncic Los Angeles Lakers Debut Bobblehead

On Tuesday, FOCO released a brand-new Los Angeles Lakers bobblehead they don’t want any Lakers fans missing out on.

Luka Doncic had a total of 24 minutes of playing time with 14 points and five rebounds in his Los Angeles Lakers debut. Remember the moment and collect a piece of Lakers history with the all-new Luka Doncic Los Angeles Lakers Debut Bobblehead.’

Luka has made his debut in LA and is ready to make some big plays with his new team, so make some big changes to your collection as well with the Luka Doncic Debut Bobblehead.

The bobblehead portrays Doncic in his new Lakers uniform in an action pose ready to make the play of the game. The bobble is limited to 125 units retailed at $85, standing 8” tall.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.