Austin Reaves Implements Lessons Learned from LeBron James on Durability

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has adopted a key principle from his former teammate LeBron James regarding the dedication required to sustain a high level of play in the NBA. With James having departed for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency this offseason, Reaves, now the Lakers' longest-tenured player, reflects on the five seasons he spent alongside James.

James took Reaves under his wing after the undrafted guard signed a two-way contract in 2021. Over their shared tenure, Reaves observed firsthand the meticulous daily routines James employed to ensure his availability and performance. "One of the biggest things I learned from LeBron was what he did every single day to give [himself] the opportunity to still play this game at the highest level," Reaves stated. "There’s a lot more that goes into it than the casual fan sees. You have to do more every single day, especially the older you get. He’s a perfect example of that."

James, known for his unparalleled longevity, holds numerous NBA records, including most regular season games played (1,622), most playoff game appearances (302), and most regular season minutes (61,030). Entering his unprecedented 24th season, James' commitment to his physical conditioning has been a benchmark in the league.

In line with this emphasis on self-care, Reaves has hired Ed Streit, a former Lakers strength and conditioning coach, to work with him privately this season. Streit previously served with the Lakers from 2019, eventually becoming the head strength and conditioning coach before his departure last year. His role is expected to mirror that of James' longtime trainer, Mike Mancias, who was integrated into the Lakers' staff.

Reaves, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Lakers, aims to improve his durability after a season that saw him play a career-low 51 games. He missed significant time due to a calf strain and an oblique strain, which impacted his performance in the playoffs. In the 2025-26 postseason, he averaged 20 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds, but shot just 40.7% from the field and 25.7% from three-point range. This followed a previous playoff appearance where injuries also affected his efficiency.

Reaves expressed confidence in his current physical condition, stating, "I’ve had a really good summer. Put myself in a really good spot going into this year." The Lakers will rely on Reaves to be a more consistent and available co-star alongside Luka Doncic, especially given his significant new contract and the team's aspirations.