Austin Reaves didn’t need many words to make his feelings clear after a golf outing with LeBron James.
When someone called LeBron, Reaves and Bronny James a “killer three” after they faced Bob Does Sports twice and lost both matches, Reaves fired back with the line that sent the moment viral: “Could still be together.”
That was the kind of blunt, easy chemistry that has defined Reaves’ relationship with LeBron since the guard arrived in Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Reaves has made it obvious he wanted LeBron back with the Lakers, and he even said he told him he had ruined his day when the news broke that James was leaving.
Reaves said he didn’t have enough time to fully explain what LeBron has meant to him, but he still laid it out plainly. The Lakers guard said:
“My rookie year, I had no idea what the heck was going on. He took me under his wing and has given me every opportunity that I could ever ask for.
He trusted me. Further than the court, we’ve built a real friendship… He’s taught me a lot.
I owe him a lot for my career. He’s given me confidence every single day.”
LeBron told the Lakers just before free agency began that he was leaving, and the move came after eight seasons in Los Angeles. Reaves and Bronny James both remain with the Lakers, and both will head into a season without LeBron as a teammate for the first time in their careers.
Reaves is also stepping into a bigger role than ever. The 28-year-old is now the clear second option, and that brings plenty of pressure with it. He averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game in 2025-26, and he’s expected to build on those numbers.
Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka believes Reaves is ready for more, saying he will keep growing as a player and a leader. Reaves is being asked to help support Luka Doncic night after night, and the Lakers are counting on that partnership.
Not everyone is sold on how high Reaves can climb. Former Laker Danny Green said he doesn’t view Reaves as a second option on a contending team, instead seeing him more as a third option. That skepticism isn’t exactly rare, either.
As for LeBron, he signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, who now look like a superteam with him, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Bronny was the one name some people wondered might follow him there, but he remains in Los Angeles.
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