Shaquille O’Neal sends stern warning to Austin Reaves before LeBron James’ Lakers return

The Los Angeles Lakers have made an impressive start to the 2025-26 NBA season, posting a 10-4 record and sitting fourth in the Western Conference standings.

What makes their strong start even more notable is that it has come in the absence of superstar LeBron James, who has missed the beginning of the season due to a sciatica-related injury.

Stepping up in LeBron’s absence has been versatile guard Austin Reaves, who has emerged as a key playmaker for the team. Reaves is averaging 28.3 points and 8.2 assists per game — only Luka Doncic ranks higher among Lakers players in those categories — underscoring just how crucial he has been for the franchise.

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However, Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal offered a cautionary note for Reaves ahead of LeBron’s return during a recent appearance on The Big Podcast. Shaq believes Reaves’ role will inevitably shift once LeBron is back in the lineup, potentially halting the momentum he has built so far.

“Reaves can play, but when the big man come back, everything shifts back. I’m going to put it in street terms. While the O.G is in jail, you running s**t. But as soon as he comes back home, you understand what I’m saying?” Shaq said.

Shaq says Lebron will Ruin Austin Reaves when he comes back 🔥🔥

“I kind of feel for Austin because he looks good, hes playing good but as soon as Lebron comes back hes going to be reverted back to standing in the Corner”

(h/t The Dreamerspro Show on Youtube) pic.twitter.com/XZtRsa3SaJ

— TheTruth (@Thetruth8240) November 15, 2025

“I kind of feel for Austin because he looks good. He is playing good. But when LeBron, when they have the full team come back, he is going to be reverted back to standing in the corner, taking last second three pointers,” he added.

Shaq’s warning does carry some weight. Reaves will not have the ball in his hands as often on offense once LeBron returns. In 217 games with LeBron on the court, Reaves has averaged 14.0 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.7 rebounds, numbers that jump to 16.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds in 63 games without LeBron.

Still, many analysts argue Shaq may be overstating the case. Reaves has delivered several high-scoring performances while playing alongside LeBron and remains the Lakers’ third-best offensive player. Even if he does not maintain his current 28.3 points per game average, he is clearly a key part of the team’s rotation.

With LeBron’s return date yet to be confirmed, Reaves could get a few more opportunities to lead the Lakers’ offense before the roster returns to full strength. How he adjusts once LeBron rejoins the starting five will be a storyline to watch closely this season.

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