The future of the Los Angeles Lakers has become one of the NBA’s biggest offseason storylines, and amid the uncertainty surrounding LeBron James, one voice inside the organization is making his stance crystal clear. Austin Reaves does not want this era of Lakers basketball to end just yet.
As speculation continues to swirl around whether James will return for a 24th NBA season, retire, or potentially explore another opportunity, Reaves has reportedly sent a strong message behind the scenes and publicly through recent comments and interactions: “Run it back.”
For a franchise that has spent the last several months navigating injuries, playoff disappointment, and mounting pressure to maximize its championship window, Reaves’ message represents more than simple loyalty. It reflects the growing belief within the Lakers locker room that the team’s core still has unfinished business.
The Lakers entered the 2025-26 campaign with massive expectations after reshaping the roster around James, Reaves, and superstar guard Luka Doncic. At different stretches of the season, Los Angeles looked every bit like a legitimate title contender. The team surged late in the regular season, with chemistry finally beginning to click between its stars before injuries derailed momentum at the worst possible time. (Los Angeles Times)
Even after a postseason run that ended in frustration against the Oklahoma City Thunder, many around the organization still believe the roster never truly had the opportunity to show its full ceiling healthy. That reality has fueled the growing “run it back” sentiment among players and staff.
Reaves, who has evolved from an undrafted role player into one of the Lakers’ most important pieces, has emerged as one of James’ closest teammates and strongest supporters. Over the last several years, their relationship has developed into more than a standard veteran-young player connection. James has consistently praised Reaves’ development, leadership, toughness, and basketball IQ, while Reaves has openly credited James for helping shape his career from the moment he entered the league. (Silver Screen and Roll)
That bond now sits at the center of the Lakers’ offseason drama.
James, now 41 years old, recently admitted he still has not fully decided whether he will continue playing. Following the Lakers’ playoff exit, the four-time NBA champion acknowledged that he needs time to evaluate both his future and what he wants from the next stage of his career. (NBA)
While retirement rumors immediately exploded across the basketball world, league insiders continue to believe James is seriously weighing all possibilities. Some reports suggest he still wants to compete for championships but is unwilling to spend another season carrying an incomplete roster. Others believe his comments are part of a broader evaluation process involving family, health, and long-term legacy considerations. (New York Post)
Through all of that uncertainty, Reaves has remained firm in his desire to keep the Lakers’ current core intact.
The timing of Reaves’ stance is especially significant because he is also entering a critical offseason of his own. Reaves is expected to command one of the most lucrative contracts available on the market after another breakout season that solidified his status as one of the league’s premier secondary creators and clutch shot-makers. League executives believe the Lakers will prioritize retaining him, even as questions linger around James’ future. (ESPN)
Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka has already made it clear the organization wants both James and Reaves back next season. Speaking after the Lakers’ elimination, Pelinka emphasized that the franchise hopes to continue building with both players alongside Doncic. (ESPN)
Pelinka’s comments reflected the delicate balancing act facing the Lakers front office.
On one hand, James remains one of the league’s biggest stars and most impactful players despite his age. Even in Year 23, he continued producing elite performances while carrying enormous leadership responsibilities. His ability to elevate teammates, control games mentally, and command defensive attention still makes him invaluable to a contender.
On the other hand, the Lakers understand the future increasingly belongs to younger stars like Doncic and Reaves. The franchise must simultaneously preserve championship ambitions while preparing for life after James whenever that transition eventually arrives.
That is precisely why Reaves’ “run it back” message matters.
Rather than viewing James as an obstacle to the next era, Reaves appears to see him as an essential part of what the Lakers are trying to build. Sources around the organization have repeatedly pointed to the trust and chemistry shared between James and Reaves both on and off the floor. Their two-man actions became a staple of the Lakers offense, especially during stretches when injuries sidelined other key contributors.
James has often referred to Reaves as one of the smartest young players he has ever played alongside. Reaves, meanwhile, has spoken openly about how James empowered him early in his career by encouraging him to stay aggressive in high-pressure moments. (Silver Screen and Roll)
That mentorship helped transform Reaves from an overlooked rookie into a player capable of thriving under the brightest spotlight in basketball.
There is also a basketball argument behind the desire to keep the group together.
Despite their playoff shortcomings, the Lakers showed flashes of dominance when healthy. The combination of Doncic’s offensive genius, James’ experience and versatility, and Reaves’ secondary scoring gave Los Angeles one of the most dynamic offensive trios in the Western Conference. Injuries disrupted continuity throughout the postseason, but internally, many believe the team never received a fair opportunity to fully evaluate the roster’s championship potential. (Los Angeles Times)
The Western Conference landscape further complicates the conversation.
Teams like the Thunder and San Antonio Spurs have rapidly emerged as rising powers built around younger superstars. The Lakers know standing still could leave them behind. But there is also hesitation about dismantling a roster that still possesses elite star talent and playoff experience.
That tension has created two competing schools of thought around the franchise.
One side believes the Lakers should pivot fully toward the Doncic era and begin reshaping the roster around a younger timeline. Critics argue that James’ age, salary demands, and uncertain future create too much instability for long-term planning. Some analysts have even suggested Los Angeles should avoid another season centered around trying to maximize James’ final years. (SI)
The other side believes moving on from James prematurely would be a massive mistake, especially when the team still has a legitimate chance to contend if healthy. Supporters of that approach point to James’ production, leadership, and playoff experience as irreplaceable qualities.
Reaves’ position appears firmly aligned with the second viewpoint.
His desire to “run it back” suggests belief not only in James himself, but in the Lakers’ overall direction. It also reflects the confidence of a player who no longer sees himself merely as a complementary piece. Reaves now understands his value within the organization and appears eager to continue growing alongside two generational stars in James and Doncic.
For James, hearing that level of support from one of the franchise’s rising cornerstones could matter.
Throughout his career, James has consistently prioritized organizational stability, player chemistry, and championship readiness when evaluating his future. One of the major questions surrounding this offseason is whether he believes the Lakers can realistically compete for another title with the current core.
Reaves’ public support may reinforce the idea that the locker room still believes in the vision.
There is also a personal layer to all of this that cannot be ignored.
James has witnessed Reaves’ entire NBA journey firsthand. From undrafted rookie to fan favorite to borderline All-Star-level contributor, Reaves’ rise has happened almost entirely under James’ watch. Their relationship carries genuine mutual respect, and James has repeatedly expressed pride in Reaves’ development. (Silver Screen and Roll)
In many ways, Reaves represents one of the clearest examples of James’ influence as a teammate and mentor during his Lakers tenure.
If this truly is the final stage of James’ career, the opportunity to continue competing alongside players he helped shape could carry emotional significance.
At the same time, business realities will ultimately determine how this offseason unfolds.
James still holds tremendous leverage because of his stature, production, and marketability. The Lakers remain financially capable of bringing him back, but every decision will impact the organization’s ability to maintain roster flexibility moving forward. Reaves’ impending contract situation adds another major layer to negotiations, especially with teams around the league expected to aggressively pursue him if given the opportunity. (ESPN)
The Lakers insist they want both players back, but accomplishing that while also improving the supporting cast will require careful maneuvering.
For now, though, Reaves has already made his feelings known.
At a moment when NBA discourse has become dominated by retirement speculation, trade rumors, and long-term projections, Reaves is pushing a simpler message. He believes the Lakers still have something worth fighting for. He believes the partnership with James deserves another shot. And perhaps most importantly, he believes the window is not closed yet.
That perspective resonates strongly inside a franchise that has built its identity around chasing championships rather than embracing transitional seasons.
Whether James ultimately agrees remains the defining question of the Lakers’ offseason.
If he decides to return, Los Angeles will enter next season once again carrying enormous expectations behind a star trio of James, Doncic, and Reaves. If he walks away, the franchise will officially enter a new era built primarily around Doncic and Reaves — an outcome that would mark the end of one of the most significant chapters in Lakers history.
Until that decision arrives, speculation will continue to dominate headlines.
But amid all the uncertainty, one thing has become unmistakably clear: Austin Reaves wants one more run with LeBron James in purple and gold. (Instagram)
Be the first to comment