Alright, Seattle, even when it ain't our green and blue battling it out, some news hits you right in the gut. Austin Reaves, the dude who basically learned how to walk on an NBA court next to LeBron James, just dropped a bombshell about King James dipping from the Lakers. Turns out, Reaves texted LeBron, straight up telling him his departure "ruined" what was otherwise a great day on the golf course. Talk about a gut punch from your mentor!
The Unbreakable Bond and the Hard Goodbye
You know the drill, right? You watch a player grow, see them lean on a veteran, and next thing you know, they're practically family. That was LeBron and Reaves. For years, LeBron was there every step of the way, dishing out guidance, encouragement, and mentorship. We all saw those iconic viral moments on the court, LeBron chatting Reaves up, building something special. Reaves himself said he felt like he owed so much of his career to LeBron and desperately wanted him to stay a Laker. It wasn't just one-sided admiration, either. LeBron had Reaves on his "Mind The Game Podcast," which tells you everything about the respect he had for the guy. Now, with LeBron gone from the Lakers, it's gotta sting for Reaves and a whole lot of Lakers fans who wanted James back.Turning The Page in Los Angeles, For Better or Worse
Look, all good things gotta end sometime, even for a bond as strong as theirs. Reaves was at the 2026 American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament, and he wasn't shying away from talking about LeBron leaving LA. He put it plainly: "Obviously, you never want to see people that you’ve been with for years leave." You hear that, you know exactly what he means. It's tough seeing teammates move on, especially one who shaped your whole career. Reaves also added, "I don’t have all the time in the world to talk about how great LeBron is and how much he means to me and my career. I’m going to miss all those guys but it’s a good opportunity for us to turn the page and see what’s next." The Lakers are definitely turning that page, with a bunch of new additions rolling in, signaling the start of a whole new era for them. The bond between LeBron and Reaves is still tight, no doubt. We're all gonna be glued to our screens the first time LeBron and Reaves face each other on opposing teams; you just know it'll be packed with handshakes, hugs, and a million cameras. But, just like Reaves said, it’s time to flip that chapter. Reaves is now the clear number two guy in Los Angeles. This is his moment, his opportunity to show everyone what he can do in that role. It's going to be a wild ride watching this new-look Lakers team. Let's see if Reaves can make 'em proud and truly lead this new era.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.