One look at Austin Reaves and the idea of an elite perimeter defender is certainly not one that people would be quick to arrive at.

Granted, that assessment about the Los Angeles Lakers guard would be correct.

The issue is with the scales being tipped too far in the other direction.

Questions about Reaves’ fit next to Luka Doncic have circulated abundantly due to his defensive shortcomings.

While it is true Reaves is not a shutdown defender by any stretch of the imagination, the issues on that end have more to do with roster construction and team management than the Lakers guard as an individual.

Jovan Buha discussed just how much that conversation has shifted in the wrong direction for Reaves on a recent episode of his podcast. Reaves is not what he has been made out to be.

“The discourse about the defense has gone overblown,” Buha stated. “Charges, his rotations, his ability to chase guys, screen navigation is all good. Even his isolation defense statistically has been pretty good. … The Lakers have to be more strategic with their switching.”

Lakers’ next decision with this roster is painfully obvious

Buha highlighted the biggest issue was the Lakers allowing too many switches where Reaves ends up on a mismatch against some like Julius Randle or Aaron Gordon. The strengths of his defense come against defending guards and that is where the 27-year-old should be kept.

The Lakers did not have that luxury for a large chunk of last season due to the gaping hole at center. JJ Redick was forced to adopt a defense that predicated on high energy, constant fluidity and movement.

With Deandre Ayton in the mix now, that does not need to be the case to the same capacity.

Reaves can be just fine as the number two backcourt defender. To properly push him into that role, the decision to start Marcus Smart over Rui Hachimura could be imperative.

The former Defensive Player of the Year can be the man tasked with taking on the initial challenge of guarding the toughest defensive assignment from the opposing team.

Meanwhile, Reaves would be allowed to settle into a comfort zone..

Guards like Jalen Brunson and Kyrie Irving have proven the mold in which Reaves is built offensively can work with Doncic quite well, after some fine-tuning to his catch-and-shoot game.

The defensive conversation is much more predicated on the surrounding talent than the pair themselves.