Austin Reaves recently shared insights into his private conversations with LeBron James as the Lakers’ star faces uncertainty about his basketball future and experiments with golf. While the 40-year-old veteran remains a central figure in the NBA, he has been seen practicing golf, signaling a curious shift in his focus away from the basketball court. This transition comes amid the Lakers’ evolving team dynamics and increased speculation about LeBron’s next career steps.
Reaves, who has observed LeBron’s new pastime closely, described the basketball legend as a novice on the golf course, struggling to master a skill far removed from his dominant days on the hardwood. Despite these challenges, Reaves emphasized his admiration for LeBron’s determination to learn and adapt to this fresh pursuit during a recent American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe.
Reaves on LeBron’s Golf Journey: Respecting the Struggle of Mastery
During a candid walk on the golf course, Austin Reaves opened up about his appreciation for LeBron James’s effort to develop his golf game. He reminisced about sending a text to James after seeing a viral clip of his golf swings, which illustrated the challenges LeBron faced even as a renowned athlete.
“Oh, I love it. I texted him probably a week ago now when I saw the video drop, and I was like, ‘Thank you for finally joining a real sport.’ He texted me back and was like, ‘This game is such a mind eff,’”
said Reaves.
“It’s just hard for someone to be that great at something to get into something and not be that great. So I think he’s been struggling a little bit, but I love to see it.”
—Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers Forward
Reaves highlighted the irony of LeBron’s golfing difficulties, knowing that someone of his caliber usually adapts quickly to new challenges. He admitted that although LeBron’s golf skills are not yet polished, he is confident the 4-time NBA champion will improve with time and effort.
The two have discussed golf before, with Reaves revealing,
“Talked about it once, probably like three or four months ago. I haven’t played with him yet, but we’ll definitely get out there soon. I just told him to go be an athlete because at Topgolf, it didn’t look like he was an athlete.”
A Friendship Built Beyond Basketball: The Prospect of a Golf Podcast
Reaves also mentioned the possibility of inviting LeBron to his podcast “Hillbilly Bogey,” a platform where he could blend sports talk with a lighter, more personal side of the game they both enjoy. Reaves expressed a desire to maintain their friendship without complicating it with requests, but he seems eager to bring LeBron onboard soon.
“I would love that. I was talking to Trent. I’ve never asked Brian for anything, so I don’t know if this will be the first time I actually do ask him for something. I want our friendship to be what it is,”
he said.
Growing Trade Rumors and Team Changes Put LeBron’s Lakers Role in Question
Meanwhile, away from the greens, speculation continues to mount about LeBron James’s status with the Los Angeles Lakers. Rumors swirled after LeBron attended a concert in Puerto Rico, fueling questions about his focus and dedication amid reports of potential trades and organizational shifts within the franchise.
Industry insiders suggest that LeBron’s once unchallenged position as the Lakers’ cornerstone may be shifting as younger talents, notably Luka Doncic, emerge as potential new leaders. ESPN reporters Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst revealed that the franchise faces a challenging balance between rebuilding for the future and honoring LeBron’s remaining seasons.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future,”
Rich Paul, LeBron’s longtime agent, told Shams Charania.
“We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.”
LeBron’s Opt-In and the Lakers’ Changing Dynamics
LeBron’s $52.6 million player option was picked up in June, but reports suggest it came without fruitful contract extension talks between the Lakers and the veteran, signaling a pause in negotiations. While Luka Doncic was reportedly informed about the Lakers’ franchise being sold to Mark Walter, LeBron was left unaware, intensifying perceptions of his diminishing influence within the team.
“He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive, and want what’s best for him,”
sources say, though the tense atmosphere is palpable.
The secrecy extended to the Anthony Davis trade, which LeBron initially doubted.
“I thought the trade was a hoax,”
he admitted to reporters but chose to forgive the behind-the-scenes politics out of respect for Doncic and the deal’s rationale.
Despite his legendary status as the league’s all-time leading scorer, a 21-time All-Star, and a three-time NBA champion, LeBron finds himself increasingly sidelined in communications within the franchise, revealing a stark contrast to his previous central role.
LeBron’s Legacy on the Brink as Golf Provides a New Outlet
As LeBron James navigates this professional crossroads, his golf endeavors seem more than just a hobby—they might symbolize a broader transition as he contemplates his legacy and life beyond basketball. The “King” is trading hardwoods for sand traps, while a new generation gains the spotlight in Los Angeles.
For Austin Reaves, the evolving relationship with his veteran teammate offers hope and a sense of continuity. Whether through sharing golf tips or future podcast collaborations, Reaves keeps faith that LeBron will continue to leave his mark, on or off the court.
While questions about LeBron James’s next chapter linger, his determination to embrace new challenges, including his golf efforts, paints a portrait of a player redefining his journey as the Lakers undergo a period of change.