After eight years, the Los Angeles Lakers are finally parting ways with LeBron James, marking the end of a glorious and historic era in franchise history. At this point, it’s unknown where James will go next, but the Lakers have already moved on into the Luka Doncic era.
For his part, Austin Reaves is set to stay for the long haul after signing a maximum extension this offseason, but he would have preferred the Lakers also keep LeBron as well. In fact, Reaves admitted that the LeBron trade ruined one of his golfing trips, as he was notoriously close with the four-time champion.
“I texted him and told him I was having a great day on the golf course until he ruined it,” Reaves told Edward Lewis of the New York Post. “I don’t have enough time to explain how much he means to me and my career and what he’s done for me. There’s nothing but love and respect. And when he comes to LA, I need to see him out on the golf course. Maybe play a couple of holes or something.”
LeBron will go down as one of the greatest Lakers ever. While not in the same vein as Kobe Bryant or Magic Johnson, he will always be credited for leading the franchise out of the post-Kobe era dark ages. With averages of 25.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 51.3% shooting from the field, he was great every season he wore the Purple and Gold, but those days are over now.
In his place, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are picking up the mantle, but things won’t be the same. Without a four-time champion to help guide the way, the Lakers could struggle out of the gate. For Reaves, the absence of LeBron means losing a friend in the locker room. Since the beginning, LeBron set him up for success by showing him the ropes and giving him ample opportunity to shine.
The results have been impressive so far. Through five seasons as a Laker, he’s made steady improvements in all aspects of the game. In 2025-26, he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 49.0% shooting and 36.0% shooting from three, nearly making his first All-Star team.
This summer, Austin, like LeBron, was a free agent, but he’s much younger than James, and the Lakers felt it was right to bring him back as Luka’s primary co-star. Without LeBron’s support, things could be challenging for the sharpshooter, but he’s learned enough over the years to feel confident about his future.
Ultimately, regardless of how the fanbase feels about LeBron, it’s clear that his Lakers teammates wanted him back, and it’s no mystery why. He brought everyone together and set the ultimate example for others with his superior work ethic, attention to detail, and selfless team-first approach. His absence will loom large in the locker room, but his impact will be felt there for years to come. The hope for the Lakers is that Austin Reaves inherits his best traits, which he could use to elevate his game even further.
