Austin Reaves

Oh No He Didn't: Austin Reaves: "How about Bronny starting in the NBA and LeBron's assigned to the G League. That's awesome"

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Oh No He Didn't: Austin Reaves: "How about Bronny starting in the NBA and LeBron's assigned to the G League. That's awesome" x.com | Nov. 15, 2025

Dave McMenamin: The Lakers win 119-95 to finish their road trip 3-2 and improve to 10-4. Luka 41p 9r 6a 2b; Reaves 25p 8a 6r; Ayton 20p 10r 2s; Hayes 10p 6r. Big week ahead for L.A., with LeBron James' return looming and a rare chance to get practice days with only two games on the schedule. x.com | Nov. 15, 2025

Dave McMenamin: The Pelicans made it interesting but the Lakers hold on to win, 118-104, in NOLA. L.A. is now 9-4 overall and 2-0 in NBA Cup group play. Reaves 31p 7a; Luka 24p 12a 6r 2s; Ayton 20p 16r 2s; Rui 14p 4r; Smart 13p on 1-for-10 shooting from 3 5r 5a 2s. Road trip ends in MKE on Sat x.com | Nov. 14, 2025

And while Reaves learned years ago how to thrive alongside James, he has quickly developed a communication style with Luka Doncic that is all their own. Their friendship, or "bromance," as multiple team sources described it to ESPN, runs on a steady stream of teasing and locker room humor. When Reaves told ESPN he thought Doncic could average 40 points this season, Luka smirked and said, "Austin's stupid." Days later, asked to describe Doncic, Reaves answered, "He's an idiot." "They both realized that they both enjoy talking trash -- a lot," Redick said. "And their personalities in that regard are very similar. And so they can create a little bit of chemistry with each other just by being their natural selves." ESPN | Nov. 11, 2025

On June 23, a day after the NBA Finals ended, Reaves and his agents, Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry of AMR Agency, joined a videoconference call with Lakers acting governor Jeanie Buss, president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, and coach JJ Redick, sources with knowledge of the call ESPN. The purpose of the virtual call was for the Lakers to offer Reaves a four-year, $89 million contract extension. Once pleasantries were exchanged and the offer was made, sources said, Reaves and Redick exited the call, while Reilly, Berry, Buss and Pelinka stayed on to discuss Reaves' future and the direction of the franchise. In total, the call lasted about 45 minutes, sources said. ESPN | Nov. 11, 2025

"AR's a stud," an Eastern Conference front office executive told ESPN. "If I were the Brooklyn Nets, I would throw all the money at him. He has shown when he gets the keys to the engine, he can produce." Reaves shares the same championship goal as his All-NBA teammates but also harbors the personal aspiration to get paid when he reaches unrestricted free agency this summer. "At the end of the day, team success is going to help me," Reaves told ESPN. "[If I] help us, then it will help me in the long haul, when you're winning." ESPN | Nov. 11, 2025

This summer, Austin Reaves is eligible to sign a five-year, $241 million deal with the Lakers, and four years, $178.5 million elsewhere, per Marks. The first-year salary of $41.5 million constitutes 25% of the salary cap in 2026-27. Reaves is not obsessed over earning every dollar possible on his next deal, sources said, but knows there is a range based on industry standards. Two of his contemporaries at shooting guard, 26-year-old Jordan Poole and 25-year-old Tyler Herro, signed contract extensions with their original teams in 2022 -- Golden State and Miami, respectively -- that pay them 20% of the cap. ESPN | Nov. 11, 2025

The last time Luka Doncic had a half-court dunk where he hung from the rim was during the 2023 preseason. Dončić has preferred to save his legs. But he did point out that he has more dunks this season than Austin Reaves, who returned to action Monday night in Charlotte after missing three games with a groin strain. “He’s a hater,” Dončić said of Reaves. “He’s got zero. No, it was good. I can dunk. I just don’t want to do it all the time.” “I have layups; they’re all worth 2 points,” said Reaves, who teamed up with Dončić to drop seven assists apiece against the Hornets. New York Times | Nov. 11, 2025

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Austin Reaves: How about Bronny James starting in the NBA and LeBron's assigned to the G League, that's awesome

Reporting by HoopsHype / Hoops Hype

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