Austin Reaves vs. Norman Powell: Los Angeles Clippers Legend Lou Williams Weighs in on L.A.’s Best Third Option

Austin Reaves is having the best season of his career, stepping up for the Los Angeles Lakers in a big way. In his fourth year with the team, Reaves has elevated his game, averaging 19.6 points and 6.0 assists per contest. With LeBron James recently sidelined, he has taken his performance to another level, putting up 30.8 points and 7.0 assists per game over the last four outings. However, as is often the case in a major market like Los Angeles, the hype surrounding Reaves has drawn some criticism.
Former NBA guard Lou Williams addressed the conversation surrounding Reaves' emergence, making it clear that, in his opinion, there is another player in L.A. more deserving of the "best third option" title.

Speaking on Run It Back via FanDuel TV, Williams didn’t hold back when discussing how Reaves compares to the Clippers’ Norman Powell.
"This is not a diss to Austin Reaves, he's not even the best third option in Los Angeles," Williams stated. "Would you take Austin Reaves or Norman Powell? I close my case."
Norman Powell has been one of the Clippers’ most consistent players this season, stepping up alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. With key injuries shaking up the roster, Powell has taken on an even bigger role, leading the team in scoring with a career-high 23.2 points per game. He’s been so good that many thought he was robbed of an All-Star selection—a conversation that didn’t really happen for Reaves.

On February 4, 2025, Powell and Reaves faced off at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with Powell continuing to make his case as the superior third option. While Powell has been dealing with recent injuries, his body of work throughout the season has kept his name in the conversation.
At the end of the day, all the debates and hot takes don’t mean much—what really matters is what happens when the lights are the brightest. The Lakers and Clippers are both playoff-bound, and this is where guys like Reaves and Powell will either rise to the moment or fade into the background.
Reaves has had his fair share of critics, but he’s answered the call in big moments for the Lakers, proving he can step up when it counts. Whether he’s truly the best third option in Los Angeles is still up for debate, but he’ll have the chance to prove it when the games matter most. Meanwhile, Powell, once back to full strength, will be looking to pick up right where he left off and remind everyone why he was in the All-Star conversation in the first place.
Also Read: Los Angeles Lakers Could Move Austin Reaves in Blockbuster Trade for Utah Jazz’s $13.3 Million Defensive Anchor Walker Kessler
The debate rages on, but the final verdict will be determined on the court when the stakes are at their highest.