With LeBron James nearing his return from a sciatica-related absence, Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal is already warning that the team’s breakout guard might be the one who feels the impact the most.
Austin Reaves has been sensational as Los Angeles’ top offensive option, but O’Neal believes that run could be coming to an abrupt halt.
Reaves has been carrying the Lakers’ perimeter scoring load, averaging 28.3 points and 8.2 assists per game, trailing only Luka Doncic in both categories. But during a recent appearance, O’Neal made it clear he doesn’t expect that version of Reaves to remain once James is back in uniform.
“He can play, but when the big man come back, everything shifts back,” O’Neal said. “I’ma put it in street terms. While the O.G. in jail, you running s—. But soon as he come back home — you understand what I’m saying?
“And I kinda feel for Austin ’cause he looks good. He’s playing good. But when LeBron — when they have they full team come back, he’s gonna be reverted back to standing in the corner, taking last-second…3s.”
Reaves has proven he can thrive next to James and Doncic in the past, but O’Neal’s point touches on the reality of playing alongside one of the greatest on-ball scorers the sport has ever seen.
James is at his best controlling tempo, operating in the half-court and initiating offense, which naturally shifts touches away from secondary creators.
Still, the idea of Reaves being reduced to a stationary floor-spacer feels extreme. The guard’s résumé includes countless big scoring nights with James active, and he remains, at minimum, Los Angeles’ third-most important offensive piece. The Lakers cannot afford for his production to plummet if they plan on competing deep into June.
The timeline for James’ return remains fluid, giving Reaves a small window to continue proving his value as a primary option.
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