The Los Angeles Lakers are facing an offseason of uncertainty, with two members of their Big 3, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, set to hit free agency.
While James proved to be the injury-plagued squad’s driving force during the 2026 playoffs, LA insider Jovan Buha reported that the franchise is “prioritizing” Reaves’ long-term future alongside Luka Dončić, with the revelation stirring up the NBA world.
NBA World Reacts to LeBron James Taking Back Seat to Austin Reaves in Lakers’ Offseason Priorities
Though the Lakers entered this year’s postseason as the Western Conference’s fourth seed (53-29), Dončić’s Grade 2 left hamstring strain made them heavy underdogs in Round 1 against the Houston Rockets.
However, James stepped up in the absence of the NBA’s leading scorer (33.5 points per game), reverting to his old role as a versatile primary scorer and playmaker after previously spending more time playing off the ball.
Behind vintage production, the 41-year-old willed the Lakers into the second round, where they were ultimately outmatched by the 64-win Oklahoma City Thunder on both ends, resulting in a 4-0 sweep. The abrupt exit fueled calls for the Purple and Gold to seek out defensive upgrades, particularly in the frontcourt.
James and Reaves hitting the open market will complicate those endeavors, though. Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, “several scouts and executives predict [Reaves will command] something in the range of five years, $200 million, but below his five-year max of $239 million.”
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported last week that James and his camp “want the Lakers to make a contract offer,” and will demand an explanation from a team-building perspective if they offer anything less than the max.
Buha dissected this dynamic over the weekend, revealing that Reaves’ ability to sign a long-term deal has made him the focal point of LA’s summer plans.
“If it comes down to would you rather pay Austin 40 million for the next five years or LeBron 40 million for one year, they’re going to prioritize the long-term contract here,” Buha said. “Austin is more of a priority for the Lakers than LeBron is. That’s just a fact.”
The Lakers will prioritize re-signing Austin Reaves over LeBron James, per @jovanbuha
“If it comes down to whether you’d rather pay Austin $40 million per year for the next five years or LeBron $40 million for one year, they’re going to prioritize the long-term contract. Austin… pic.twitter.com/6zy1Wp1jsG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 31, 2026
Buha followed up with a tweet noting that LA “can easily keep both” and that he “expects both back.” Still, many across the NBA community took the initial excerpt and ran with it, perceiving it as a slight toward James.
Exactly. They can easily keep both. I have never said it was either or. This is out of context of a broader discussion. I was asked multiple questions about why the Lakers would potentially ask LeBron to take a pay cut and not Austin. I explained the cap hold differences, plus…
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) June 1, 2026
“Prioritize Reaves over LeBron? That’s how you lose jersey sales and relevance in one move,” content creator Ermeeking wrote.
Prioritize Reaves over LeBron? That’s how you lose jersey sales and relevance in one move
— Ermeeking (@Ermeeking) May 31, 2026
“LeBron carried them in the playoffs, and the Lakers treating him like he’s a scrub,” one X user asserted.
LeBron carried them in the playoffs and the Lakers treating him like he’s a scrub
— mdrew2202 (@titansvolsfan22) May 31, 2026
“Prioritizing Austin Reaves over LEBRON JAMES is a generational level of losing your mind. I don’t care about long-term versus short-term, this is pure insanity from the Lakers front office if true, 💀😭” another reacted in disbelief.
Prioritizing Austin Reaves over LEBRON JAMES is a generational level of losing your mind. I don’t care about long-term versus short-term, this is pure insanity from the Lakers front office if true. 💀😭
— 𝔽X✞𝕂𝔸𝕃𝕌𝔹𝕀𝔾 (@suaciovt) May 31, 2026
Some also seized an opportunity to take shots at Reaves, who struggled mightily with his efficiency (40.7% from the field, 25.7% from 3-point range) and was hunted on defense in the playoffs following his return from a Grade 2 left oblique strain.
“Handcuffing a 28-year-old playoff dropper and defensive liability for 200m to Luka Dončić is definitely a choice,” one observer weighed in.
handcuffing a 28 year old playoff dropper and defensive liability for 200m to Luka Doncic is definitely a choice pic.twitter.com/nlLZwucYM8
— master shillfu (@shillfu) May 31, 2026
“The Lakers were literally better without him 😂😂😂😂😂,” another slammed Reaves.
The Lakers were literally better without him 😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/TMIwBqMmvV
— The Locker Room (@lockerroomla) May 31, 2026
“Austin Reaves is not a starter on a championship team,” one more contended.
Austin Reeves is not a starter on a championship team. pic.twitter.com/7rv3ttcyu8
— Kindness and knowledge (@Ezekle1) May 31, 2026
That said, others were unmoved by the report, reasoning that it should be expected.
“This is not news. This is just a rational decision, but of course, it’s gonna come off as a LeBron disrespect,” one supporter opined.
This is not news. This is just a rational decision but of course, it’s gonna come off as a LeBron disrespect
— De Thanos (@Denno876er) May 31, 2026
Regardless of the order in which the Lakers attempt to retain their stars, major moves may need to be on the horizon to have any hope of matching up with OKC and the San Antonio Spurs next season.
With Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama seemingly in the early stages of an all-time great career arc, finding a center upgrade over Deandre Ayton, who battled inconsistency all postseason, and adding a defensive-minded wing will be paramount to maximizing the Dončić era.
