LeBron James is gone, off to Philly, and for the Lakers, that means a new era has officially kicked off. Everyone’s buzzing about Luka Doncic, obviously, because he’s one of the league’s absolute best, but a different, crucial story is brewing in the locker room. New Laker Collin Sexton just spilled the beans on it, and it’s all about Austin Reaves stepping up big time as a leader, and trust me, it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
The Lakers’ High-Stakes New Chapter
This squad is in a seriously unique spot heading into the 2026-27 season. They’re definitely not seen as top contenders, but they’re absolutely not one of the worst teams either. Think about it: they’ve got this insane high ceiling because of Doncic’s star power, right? But the flip side is, things could hit a tough floor if everything goes sideways. JJ Redick, the head coach, is coming off two strong seasons, which is awesome. But this is his first time leading the team without LeBron, so there’s gonna be an adjustment period, especially when it comes to leadership. That’s where Reaves comes in, baby! He and Doncic are the holdovers from the last era, and Reaves is seizing the moment.
Collin Sexton’s Revelation Changes Everything
Thankfully for the Purple and Gold, it looks like Reaves took that challenge head-on, setting a super strong example. Collin Sexton, a new guy in the locker room, flat-out admitted Reaves has seriously impressed him with his leadership. Sexton laid it out: “Each and every day when he’s in the gym, he’s ready to work. No complaints out of him; he’s one of the leaders on the team. He comes in with the attitude of pushing each other, but also allowing others to push him.” How awesome is that? Sexton added, “That’s his one thing; he impacts winning, and he impacts the game in so many different ways. I definitely look forward to playing with him.” That’s a massive, glowing review from a new teammate, telling us everything we need to know about Reaves’ impact.
With praise like that, Reaves is clearly staring down a massive 2026-27 campaign. He’s not just a role player anymore, he’s the definite clear-cut second star right behind Luka. This isn’t just about his stats, it’s about his attitude and leadership pushing this team towards that high ceiling everyone is hoping for. Get ready, folks, because Austin Reaves is about to deliver a huge season for the Lakers.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply