The most fascinating wrinkle of the Luka Doncic trade was that Los Angeles was able to retain Austin Reaves. The 26-year-old is under contract through the summer of 2026 on a team-friendly deal. He's at his best as an offensive facilitator, but playing alongside ball-dominant legends like Doncic and LeBron James diminishes that forte.

Reaves has taken the next step in his fourth season, averaging career-highs in points, assists, and steals per game. He's blossoming into a crafty combo guard who can be the best player on the floor on any given night.

He's impressed so much that Patrick Beverly recently stated he thinks Reaves is the best third option in the league. On a recent episode of Run it Back, Beverley's former teammate, Chandler Parsons, firmly pushed back on that notion.

"Austin Reaves is balling," Parsons said. "I think with a bigger role, he could be better, and he's great for the Lakers. But there are so many deep teams with big threes. It's a conversation, but calling him the best, ehhh."

In his more extended dialogue, Parsons mentions guys like Paul George and Bradley Beal as examples of the top third bananas. Both of those names are far beyond their prime, playing at their worst level, and are hardly available.

Reaves is a star on the rise who every franchise would rather have in comparison.