Austin Reaves and LeBron James spent five seasons together with the Los Angeles Lakers, forging a strong bond. James spotted Reaves’ talent early and mentored him closely.
So when James decided to leave the Lakers, it hit Reaves hard. Last week, upon learning the four-time NBA champion was moving on, Reaves sent him a candid message.
“I texted him and told him I was having a great day on the golf course until he ruined it,” Reaves told the California Post on Wednesday.
After the Lakers’ second-round playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in May, Reaves reflected on his relationship with James and the friendship they built off the court.
“He’s taught me a lot. I owe him a lot from my career. Like I said, he’s given me confidence every single day,” Reaves said.
An avid golfer, Reaves added they’ve hit the links together since James picked up the game last year. In his farewell text to James last week, Reaves wrote: “Thank you for everything. See you on the golf course soon, brother.”
The two shared a viral moment during Reaves’ rookie season. In a January 2022 game, James was giving Reaves instructions, and the guard’s surprised expression became a meme. They reminisced about it on a “Mind the Game” podcast episode in March.
James hasn’t announced his next destination yet. But Reaves is set to sign a four-year, $185 million deal with the Lakers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Reaves will just have to play without his former teammate who recently ruined his day on the golf course.