Davis misses the Lakers: “I miss Austin Reaves like crazy”
Former Lakers big man Anthony Davis opens up about his special bond with Austin Reaves, admitting he still misses his former teammate from their days in Los Angeles
The championship won inside the Orlando bubble in 2020 now feels like a completely different era, but there was a time when Anthony Davis was the unquestioned cornerstone of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Even though more than a year has passed since his departure from California, the big man still maintains a very strong connection with the Lakers environment and, in particular, with one of his former teammates. In a recent interview, Davis openly admitted his nostalgia for that old locker room:
I miss it. Out of all the guys on the team, the one I miss the most is Austin Reaves. He was my favorite
Anthony Davis
The heartfelt statement came during recordings of Foul Play, Davis’ new hidden-camera television show, where the Washington Wizards star spends time pranking fellow NBA players.
The latest episode’s target happened to be the Lakers guard, who found himself on the receiving end of one of Davis’ jokes after a staged endurance challenge for charity purposes.
After arriving in Los Angeles in 2019 following his departure from the New Orleans Pelicans, Davis immediately became the perfect partner for LeBron James, winning an NBA championship in his very first season in Purple and Gold.
Although most people viewed the strongest connection as the one between the two superstars, the chemistry built between Davis and Austin Reaves on the court proved to be something special, becoming one of the key elements behind the team’s success.
That basketball and personal partnership came to an abrupt end when GM Rob Pelinka decided to move Davis in order to acquire Luka Doncic, permanently closing that chapter in Lakers history. After later landing in Washington at last February’s trade deadline, Davis has yet to play a game for the Wizards due to physical issues, and his status for next season reportedly remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, back in California, Reaves’ development has only continued to accelerate – especially after Davis’ departure. The 2025-26 season became the year of his true breakout, as the Lakers sharpshooter averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, while shooting 49% from the field and 36% from three-point range.
At age 27, Reaves has established himself as the permanent No. 2 option alongside Luka Doncic and is now in line for a major contract extension. As for a future on-court reunion with Davis, who turned 33 in March, the chances appear virtually nonexistent, especially with Austin soon expected to enter contract extension talks with the organization.