LeBron James Smiles After Austin Reaves Jokes About Staying with Lakers

Austin Reaves has always held a high regard for former Lakers teammate LeBron James for mentoring him over the years.

LeBron James Smiles After Austin Reaves Jokes About Staying with Lakers

Austin Reaves and LeBron James (Image via Barstool Sports/X)

When LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers, basketball fans were split. On the one hand, many were relieved to see the superstar go after what they called an underwhelming eight years with the franchise.

On the other hand, many felt that the organization did not celebrate what he did for them. That narrative received some boost when reports first came out about how franchise governor Jeanie Buss felt about him.

Over the final few days of his tenure as a member of the purple and gold brigade, more news came out that the King felt he was underappreciated by the organization.

Those in support added that before James arrived, the Lakers were a mess. His experience winning and being the biggest superstar in the game helped the organization become relevant.

However, most Lakers fans are supposedly happy that the 41-year-old departed. They believe that his time was more about the drama than on-court success. At the same time, it seems one Laker does not echo that opinion.

Could still be together.

Austin Reaves said

The undrafted guard said this while golfing with LeBron James and Bronny James. While the latter did not have any reaction, the former did, as a smile broke out on his face, knowing what could have been.

Even the photographers at this event broke out into laughter. Austin Reaves then hugged his now-former teammate and mentor, knowing James’ departure also coincides with a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The team is heavily rebuilt after GM Rob Pelinka used up the $53 million James left behind in cap space. Most of it went to Reaves, who is now one of the main protagonists of this new era.

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Draymond Green defends JJ Redick’s opinion LeBron James-less Lakers ‘fit together’

While Austin Reaves’ desire to continue playing with LeBron James no longer exists, his head coach, JJ Redick, made it clear during the season’s first press conference that without the elder statesman, the current team is a better ‘fit.’ Although this remark drew some backlash, Draymond Green believes the coach may not be wrong.

Bron and Luka are both ball-dominant players. LeBron had to learn how to play without the ball. And I ultimately don’t think it allowed for the best LeBron James. So, I understand what he’s saying when he says the pieces fit together better. They’ve built a team that’s heavily going to play roles with Luka having the ball, and that’s been very successful for Luka in teams that he’s been on.

Draymond Green said

This is coming from someone who has battled against James enough to know what style of play suits him the best. The Warriors star pointed out on his namesake show the adjustments and sacrifices his close friend had to make just to play alongside Reaves and Luka Doncic.

Having two ball-dominant playmaking guards made the 41-year-old’s services at distributing the rock irrelevant. That is why he had to learn how to play in the dunker’s spot on offense. Now, the rebuilt team is going to gain from Doncic’s playmaking, which is why Redick’s comments make sense.

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Jeff Teague thinks Lakers will be better without LeBron James

Another reason why LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers is good for the team is that the massive narrative-filled discourse will no longer be a distraction. That is what Jeff Teague believes.

The rebuilt team looks calmer and happier
The rebuilt team looks calmer and happier (Image via Lakers/X)

I’m high on the Lakers… Bron is gone, so that cloud that LeBron had over… It’s tough to play with LeBron James.

Jeff Teague said on Club 520 Podcast

The former champion reiterated that when the Lakers were winning, it was James who received the praise. Then, when they were losing, again he faced most of the brunt.

A team cannot have that level of scrutiny and play basketball without it affecting their morale. That is why Teague is high on the team, and even predicts that they will be fourth-best in the West.

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