Austin Reaves is currently on a tour through China, repping his Rigorer signature sneaker, but make no mistake, his mind is already locked in on the upcoming trip to Slovenia, specifically how he’s going to own Luka Dončić on the golf course. It’s early August, and while the NBA regular season feels a million miles away, Reaves is out here dropping bombs on one of the league’s biggest stars, proving some rivalries just never take an offseason.
The Golf Gauntlet Has Been Thrown
During a recent stop in Hong Kong, Reaves was asked about the opportunity to head to Europe with his teammates. You’d think he’d talk about team bonding or strategy. Nope. Not Austin Reaves. The man immediately pivoted to one thing: golf. “I’m gonna kick his a– in golf,” Reaves declared, already buzzing about the impending showdown. That’s the kind of instant trash talk that makes you wonder if these guys are ever truly off the clock.
While the golf beatdown is clearly a priority, Reaves did mention the real reason for the trip: getting the new-look Lakers squad together. They’ve got “a fairly new team, a lot of new guys,” and this trip is all about being “around them, get to know one another off the court and just build that chemistry there.” But the fact that his brain went straight to clowning Luka before anything else just tells you everything you need to know about his competitive fire. This isn’t amateur hour; this is a pro who talks trash for a living, and frankly, we love to see it.
Best Friends Who Hate Losing to Each Other
It’s not just a random jab, either. This is an ongoing saga between two of the league’s most compelling players. Earlier this offseason, Reaves was in Las Vegas for Summer League and spilled the beans on his constant communication with Luka. “Luka,” Reaves said, “I mean, he’s one of my best friends on this planet. Talk to him almost every single day.” You hear that? Best friends. But even best friends have to battle for bragging rights.
Turns out, Luka is apparently trying to improve his golf game by sending Reaves videos of his swing, asking for tips. And Reaves’ response? Classic. “I tell him I’m not a coach.” That’s not just refusing to help; that’s setting up the trash talk for when he absolutely destroys him on the green. Reaves isn’t new to these international tours, having traveled around Asia with his shoe company two years ago, even hitting the Philippines after becoming an ambassador for a local sports betting app. He knows how to handle the spotlight, and he knows how to keep the rivalry simmering.
Reaves’ barnstorming tour will soon head to Slovenia with his teammates, both new and old. If Reaves is this fired up already, imagine the energy once they’re actually together. Hopefully, someone’s got their phone ready for social media updates during that trip because there’s absolutely no doubt there will be a constant barrage of trash talk between Luka and Austin. You just know these guys are going to keep us entertained, even in the middle of summer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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