"Could still be together": Austin Reaves hits nerve with Lakers fans after playful golf course joke to LeBron
The former teammates shared a laugh, but the moment underscored how much has changed in Los Angeles
Austin Reaves was only joking, but the line landed with more weight than he probably intended. Reaves recently reunited with LeBron James and Bronny James for a golf outing against the YouTube group Bob Does Sports.
As the trio posed for a photo and were described as a “killer three,” Reaves looked at the group and said: “We could still be together.”
LeBron laughed. Lakers fans, meanwhile, were left with a reminder that the partnership is over.
James left Los Angeles this offseason for the Philadelphia 76ers , ending an eight-year run with the franchise and breaking up a group that included Reaves and, more recently, Bronny .
Reaves remains in Los Angeles, where the Lakers are now reshaping themselves around Luka Doncic .
Reaves’ role has changed dramatically
The moment carried some nostalgia because Reaves and James shared several seasons together after the guard joined the Lakers in 2021.
Reaves developed from an undrafted player into a major part of the rotation, while LeBron remained the centerpiece of the team.
Now the hierarchy is different. The Lakers signed Reaves to a four-year, $180 million extension this summer, making him one of the central figures in their post-LeBron plans.
The contract comes with a much bigger expectation, something general manager Rob Pelinka has already addressed publicly.
“One of the things we talked to Austin about is like, what does it mean once you're a max level player?” Pelinka said.
“What new responsibilities come your way with that leadership and showing others by example like how to get better.”
Pelinka added that the challenge will extend beyond Reaves ’ production.
“He's got a whole tool chest of new things that he's gotta improve on and work at to be a great leader,” he said.
Lakers building around a different core
Los Angeles also added Walker Kessler and Quentin Grimes during the offseason, but the offensive burden is still expected to fall heavily on Doncic and Reaves .
That makes Reaves ’ growth especially important. He's no longer simply the connective piece next to LeBron .
He's being asked to help lead the next version of the Lakers . Pelinka said Reaves has embraced that responsibility.
“I think not only will we see continued growth in his basketball game, but I think we'll see really strong growth in his leadership skills,” Pelinka said.
The golf outing was friendly, but it also served as an early preview of the emotion that could come when LeBron returns to Los Angeles.
The 76ers are scheduled to face the Lakers on Christmas Day, setting up one of the most anticipated reunions of the season.
By then, Reaves will be trying to establish himself as one of the faces of a new Lakers era.
