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Austin Reaves’ Agent Responds to Rumor His Client Doesn’t Like Playing With Lakers Star Luka Dončić

Originally posted on Dallas Hoops Journal
By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 11:25 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in February. It was arguably the biggest blockbuster trade in NBA history.

Behind Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, the Lakers finished last season as the third seed in the rugged Western Conference. JJ Redick‘s team faced the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, with Los Angeles favored to win.

However, the Timberwolves beat the Lakers in five quick games.

After the Lakers’ season ended, a rumor circulated that James and Reaves didn’t like playing with Dončić, who is very ball-dominant. Reaves’ agent, Aaron Reilly, caught wind of the rumor and said the report is not true.

“Austin Reaves has nothing but the utmost respect for Luka Dončić and truly enjoys playing alongside him,” Reilly told Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation. “Any suggestion to the contrary is completely false. He’s excited to be on the court with Luka—both now and in the future.”

Regarding the report that Austin Reaves doesn't like playing with Luka Doncic, Reaves' agent @AMRAgency had this to say:

"Austin has nothing but the utmost respect for Luka and truly enjoys playing alongside him. Any suggestion to the contrary is completely false. He’s excited…
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) July 3, 2025

Two weeks ago, Reaves spoke to Lane about his fit with Dončić in the Lakers’ offense.

Reaves, one of the best undrafted players in NBA history, believes he and Dončić can become a great tandem for Los Angeles.

“I think it brings so much chaos offensively,” Reaves said. “Because you got two guys, you know, obviously I’m not putting myself in Luka’s category because he’s a top-three player in the NBA, but it brings two guys in the 1-2 spot, then obviously you have Bron too, that are willing passers, that can create chaos on defense.

“So I think it’s gonna be tough for teams to stay in front of us, I feel like we can get good looks every possession.”

It will be interesting to see how the Lakers fare next season. The team will go as far as James, Dončić and Reaves can lead them.

Reaves declined to sign an extension from the Lakers this offseason so he can make more money next summer.

Meanwhile, Dončić can sign a contract extension with the Lakers on August 2 for as much as four years and $229 million. The superstar can also agree to a two-year extension to get him to 10 years of service in the summer of 2028, when he could sign a five-year max contract at 35% of the salary cap to maximize his earnings.