LeBron’s Lakers Career Is OVER After Austin Reaves’ Shocking Move—Fans Stunned as NBA World Reacts to the Unexpected Twist!

Austin Reeves, LeBron James, and the Lakers’ Impossible Choice

LeBron, no Luka. I mean, damn. Austin Reaves just went out there and torched the Kings for 51 points with no LeBron and Luka to defer to. Let’s just call it how it is: LeBron James and Luka Dončić are holding Austin Reaves back. The Lakers have stumbled into one of the wildest messes in recent NBA history, and it might push them into a franchise-shifting decision way sooner than anyone expected.

October 26th, 2025. Lakers vs. Kings. Just the second game of the season, and both superstars are missing. LeBron James is sidelined with sciatica, a painful nerve issue in his back. At 40 years old, entering his record-breaking 23rd season, he missed opening night for the first time ever. Luka Dončić is also out with finger and leg injuries, expected to miss several games.

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What happened next flipped the Lakers’ season on its head. With LeBron and Luka both out, who steps up? Austin Reaves—the undrafted Arkansas kid who signed a two-way deal in 2021. And he doesn’t just step up; he explodes. A near-historic 50-point triple double: 51 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists, leading the Lakers to a 127-120 win over the Kings. Only the eighth Laker ever to hit 20+ free throws in a game, going 21-for-22 at the line. He drilled his 500th career three-pointer, joining an elite list, and became the first Laker since Elgin Baylor in 1963 to post 50+, 11+, and 9+ in one game.

Then, the very next night, Reaves drops another 41 against the Trailblazers. The Lakers lost, but Reaves put up 92 points in two nights, and suddenly the entire league was watching. Through the first three games, Reaves averaged a wild 34 points, 9.7 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game—MVP-level stats, even if it’s early.

But this isn’t just about Reaves going off. It’s about what his breakout means for the Lakers’ future. Rob Pelinka and the front office are staring at one of the trickiest roster puzzles in the league, and Reaves just made it way more complicated.

The Money Problem

Reaves is making just $13.9 million this season, a bargain for a player putting up those numbers. He’s in year three of a 4-year, $53.8 million deal, with a $14.9 million player option for 2026-27. But everyone knows he’s declining it. He’s expected to command at least $30 million per year in free agency—maybe even $35 to $40 million. The Lakers tried to lock him up last offseason, offering a 4-year extension worth $88-90 million, but Reaves and his agent said “no thanks.” That’s the max the Lakers can legally offer under CBA rules, but it’s way below market value.

Austin Reaves is about to play the season out, skip that player option, and walk into unrestricted free agency in 2026. Teams will be lining up to throw $30 million plus at him. That puts the Lakers in a nasty spot.

Now factor in LeBron James. He’s pulling in $52.6 million this year, but his deal is expiring. After this season, LeBron will hit the market as a 41-year-old free agent, heading into his jaw-dropping 24th NBA season. LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, says LeBron still wants to compete for a championship but also understands the Lakers are building for the future. That’s code for a shift in power, and the future is built around Luka Dončić.

Remember February 2025? The Lakers shocked the league when they traded Anthony Davis for Luka in the first-ever mid-season swap of two active All-NBA stars. The consensus: Lakers won big. Luka just inked a three-year, $165 million extension. He’s the cornerstone, the face of the Lakers, and the front office knows they’ve got to build the right squad around him.

The Dilemma

So, here’s the billion-dollar question: Is it smart to keep dropping $50+ million a year on a 41-year-old LeBron while trying to craft a dynasty around a 26-year-old Luka? Or would that money be better spent keeping Reaves, a 27-year-old who’s proving he can be a legit number two option right now?

Luka’s playoff history proves he thrives with a versatile secondary creator—first Jaylen Brunson, then Kyrie Irving. Reaves has become exactly that, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds with Luka last season, shooting 46% from the field and 37.7% from deep. JJ Redick said it best: “He’s naturally going to take the second or third most shots most nights. He’s the primary handler. That’s huge.” Reaves brings grit and consistency, the perfect co-star for Luka.

But the money math is brutal. If LeBron wants to return, he’ll demand a max contract. Reaves is expecting $30-40 million. Luka is locked in at $46 million. That’s $136 million for just three players, leaving only $34 million for the rest of the roster under a projected $170 million cap. That means minimum contracts, veterans, and praying someone off the bench steps up. We’ve seen how that story ends—just look at the Phoenix Suns’ big three.

The Options

The Lakers have three real options:

Let LeBron walk and re-sign Austin Reaves. The most logical long-term play. LeBron will be 42, and as legendary as he is, the future belongs to Luka and Reaves. If LeBron retires, LA would have a blank slate—enough cap space to keep Reaves and add another star.
Stick with LeBron and let Reaves walk. Sentiment over strategy. It’s choosing a couple more years of aging greatness over five to seven years of Reaves in his prime next to Luka. Once LeBron slows down or retires, you’re left with Luka and scraps.
Trade Austin Reaves before the deadline. If LA knows they can’t afford Reaves long-term and won’t let LeBron go, the smartest business play might be to move him and get something back. But Reaves doesn’t want to leave, and trading away a homegrown, undrafted kid who became a borderline All-Star would anger the fanbase—and Luka.

The Looming Free Agency Gold Rush

The 2027 free agency class could be the most stacked in NBA history: Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Steph Curry, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and even Luka if he opts out. The Lakers might be playing the long game, trying to keep the books clean for a 2027 gold rush. But it’s a huge gamble—no guarantee any superstar will hit free agency, and no guarantee LA will land one.

What Does Reaves Want?

Reaves holds power, too. He’s said he wants to be in LA his whole career and is open to taking a bit less—maybe around $32 million per year instead of $40 million—to stay. Both sides are motivated to strike a deal. But the shadow of LeBron looms large. After these last two games, Reaves has proven he can be the guy. Not just a role player, but a star who steps up when the spotlight’s on.

The Verdict

Can the Lakers afford both Reaves and LeBron, or do they have to choose? Here’s my take: The Lakers will let LeBron walk after this season and commit to paying Austin Reaves. The timeline fits—Luka’s 26, Reaves is 27, both entering their primes. The money math makes sense. Reaves is the perfect secondary creator for Luka. And if LA pays Reaves $32-35 million and lets LeBron walk, they’ll still have room for a major 2027 splash.

Does this guarantee LeBron’s run in LA is over? Not necessarily. There’s still a world where he takes a massive pay cut, but based on history, that’s a long shot. The hard truth: the Lakers can’t pay both what they’re worth. When it comes down to choosing between a 42-year-old LeBron and a 27-year-old Reaves, the smart move—basketball-wise and business-wise—is Reaves.

It’s not an easy call. LeBron’s a legend who delivered a championship and still ranks among the league’s best when healthy. But sometimes, even greatness can’t escape reality. The Lakers have to choose between the past and the future. And this might be the toughest decision Rob Pelinka ever makes.

So, what do you think? Should the Lakers double down on the future with Luka and Reaves, or ride it out with LeBron one last time? Drop your thoughts below.

And if you thought this was wild, wait till you see what’s happening with the NBA scandal. LeBron’s name is in the mix again. Check out my other video for the full story—right there on the end screen.

I’m Mike, and I’m dropping our mic till the next upload.