Austin Reaves has often been compared to Alex Caruso, although the latter has been known primarily for his defense, while Reaves is a more versatile asset at the offensive end.
His latest performance saw Los Angeles Lakers fans debate who would win a one-on-contest between the two. Safe to say, there were some segments who believed the two on the same team would form a formidable duo coming off the bench.
“Better scorer? AR15. Better Defense? AC. Would be a great game,” one of the fans commented on Reddit. “Reaves reminds me a little more of Strus for Miami. Alvarado in New Orleans has a career more like Caruso’s so far,” a comment read.
“Reaves easily, AC got no offensive bag,” a fan opined. “I love Alex, and I don’t want to tear someone down for the sake of building someone else up, but at this point, the comparisons may need to stop. Reaves is a good defender and a good offensive player. Caruso is a great defender and a very limited offensive player.” a fan explained.
The replies were mostly about how good the two would have been for the Lakers. “It’s pretty crazy to think about how seamless the fit would be between these two guys as a duo off the bench. Both complement each others’ games and AC could be the secondary ball handler.”
Caruso became an unrestricted free agent after the 2020-21 season and signed a four-year, $37 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. The current season has him averaging 5.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists from 55 games.
Reaves is set to be a free agent this summer and the Lakers have reportedly planned on retaining his services. Chatter around a four-year, $50 million deal has been generating buzz earlier this week, especially after his impressive season with LA this time around. The guard has been averaging 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.
His numbers may have been a stark contrast to that of Caruso’s, but their play is well beyond the statistics. The latter has always been an underrated defender, while Reaves has broken into the Lakers’ rotation by showcasing his skills and his ability to seal the game in the clutch.
Austin Reaves Talks About His Similarities With Alex Caruso.
As mentioned above, there has been a constant comparison between the two players, and Reaves had his take on the matter earlier this year.
Speaking to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Reaves said the two are completely different players. “We’re guys that played on the Lakers, and we’re white. We don’t really look athletic. He’s athletic, but I’m not that athletic. I can see why people do it, but we’re two totally different players.”
The Lakers would be wise enough to retain Reaves come this summer. His prolific scoring and his toughness to hold his own have seen him earn the respect of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Only time will tell if the Lakers decide to bring Caruso back into the mix. Expect an ‘Austin-Caruso’ to wreak havoc if that becomes a reality.
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