The Lakers are in a new phase now that LeBron James is gone to the Philadelphia 76ers, and the spotlight has shifted to the holdovers who remain. Luka Doncic is the obvious headliner, but Austin Reaves is carving out a different kind of role - one that matters just as much inside the locker room.
That growth has already caught the attention of new teammate Collin Sexton, who says Reaves is doing more than just producing on the floor. He’s helping set the tone.
"Each and every day when he's in the gym, he's ready to work. No complaints out of him; he's one of the leaders on the team. He comes in with the attitude of pushing each other, but also allowing others to push him," Sexton said about Reaves growing as a leader on the Lakers.
"That's his one thing; he impacts winning, and he impacts the game in so many different ways. I definitely look forward to playing with him."
That kind of praise matters for a Lakers team heading into the 2026-27 season with plenty of questions around its ceiling and floor. They aren’t being treated like true title favorites, but they also don’t sit near the bottom of the league. Doncic gives them star power, and Reaves now appears to be giving them something else: a steady voice in the room.
It also puts extra responsibility on head coach JJ Redick, who is coming off two strong seasons and will now guide the group without LeBron for the first time. Even with Doncic front and center, there’s still an adjustment ahead, especially when it comes to leadership.
Reaves seems ready for it. With Sexton’s endorsement and a clear path to becoming the Lakers’ second star behind Doncic, the 2026-27 season could turn into a defining one for him and for Los Angeles.
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