Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are now the face of the Los Angeles Lakers. With LeBron James gone to Philadelphia, the team is built entirely around the pair, which has arguably become the best blockbuster duo in the NBA. Doncic is a perennial MVP candidate who led the league in scoring last season, averaging 33.5 points per game.
Reaves had a career year, putting up 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games. Both can create offense, with Doncic running the show while Reaves scores on all three levels and also handles ball-handling duties. They’re both bigger guards, and they scored efficiently in the minutes they shared without LeBron last year.
But according to Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, there may be another pairing in the Western Conference that could be even better: Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. "That's tough cause you've seen Luka and Reaves play. I feel like they're gonna be exciting for Minnesota," Adebayo said on a recent episode of the "Makeshift Project" podcast when asked to choose between the two pairings.
More news: LeBron James Sends Clear Message After Sixers Debut More news: Kyrie Irving Drops Hint on Mavs Future With Cooper Flagg Comments The Minnesota Timberwolves took a big swing this offseason, acquiring Ball from the Charlotte Hornets in a four-team trade. Minnesota gave up former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid and a lot of draft picks to get him, but the move made sense with pressure mounting to add more star power around Edwards. Ball is an elite playmaker who averaged 7.1 assists per game last season, which lets Edwards move off the ball and back to his more natural shooting guard spot.
Ball is also a career 36.5% three-point shooter, which helps Minnesota space the floor and open up lanes for Edwards’ explosive scoring. The two have reportedly already grown close in Ball’s short time in Minnesota as well. The Wolves also have plenty of talent on the defensive end.
Edwards is one of the best two-way wings in the league, and Rudy Gobert is one of the premier rim protectors. The team also has Jaden McDaniels, Ayo Dosunmu and newcomer Jonathan Kuminga, giving them enough scoring and size to compete in the West. Ball should get more open threes, and with so many two-way players around him, it will be easier to hide him on defense.
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