LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers have officially handed over the reins of the franchise to Luka Dončić, marking the beginning of a bold new era in Hollywood. But while the Lakers are celebrating their superstar addition, one player is quietly feeling the fallout: Austin Reaves.
Dončić, acquired in a monumental offseason trade with the Dallas Mavericks, has immediately become the centerpiece of the Lakers’ offense and long-term plans. The 25-year-old Slovenian guard has already begun training with the team, and early reports from practice suggest the Lakers are restructuring their entire system around his unique playmaking abilities.
With Dončić’s high usage rate and dominant ball-handling style, there’s naturally a reshuffling of roles within the roster. Among the biggest adjustments is the diminished role of Austin Reaves, the hard-working guard who had emerged as a core contributor in the post-LeBron James era.
Reaves thrived last season with the ball in his hands, showing flashes of star potential while averaging nearly 16 points per game. But with Dončić orchestrating the offense, Reaves has been pushed off the ball, reducing his opportunities to create and contribute in meaningful ways.
Sources close to the organization suggest Reaves is not taking the change lightly. “He’s not upset about Luka — he respects the guy,” said one team insider. “But he feels like he’s being minimized after proving himself on the biggest stage.”
Head coach Darvin Ham has acknowledged the challenge of balancing the roster around Dončić’s dominance. “There’s only one basketball,” Ham said in a press conference. “We’re working to find ways to keep Austin engaged and effective, but we all understand Luka’s going to dictate the flow of the game now.”
Fans are split on the shift. Some are thrilled about Dončić’s takeover, believing the Lakers finally have a young superstar to build around for the next decade. Others worry that losing players like Reaves — emotionally or literally — could weaken the team’s depth and chemistry.
Reaves, who signed a four-year extension just last offseason, has not publicly addressed the rumors of his dissatisfaction, but league executives believe he could be included in a trade package before the deadline if his role continues to shrink.
Meanwhile, Dončić has embraced his leadership role. “This team has history, and I want to be a part of adding to it,” he said. “Austin’s a great player. I want to work with him and make each other better.”
Still, the writing may already be on the wall. As the Lakers double down on the Luka Dončić era, they’re making it clear: the franchise’s future is built around one star, and everything else — even beloved contributors like Reaves — is negotiable.
The months ahead will be critical, not just for the Lakers’ playoff hopes, but for determining whether Austin Reaves still has a place in this new Hollywood script, or whether he’ll be moving on to write a new chapter elsewhere.
