Austin Reaves Calls Bronny James 1 of Lakers' 'Better Players' During Preseason

Austin Reaves has been impressed with teammate Bronny James' preseason performances as the second-year guard prepares for his 2025-26 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Reaves told reporters that he praised James during a recent conversation they had on a golfing trip.

"I was just like, 'I need to let you know. In preseason and even before that, you've been one of the better players out on the floor almost every day. So continue to do that,'" Reaves said. "He's a good kid, good head on his shoulders, is all about the right stuff and just wants to compete and get better. So, shoutout to him."

James is still searching for consistency with his shot through two preseason games. He finished with eight points and five rebounds in 24 minutes against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, but connected on just 1 of his 12 field-goal attempts.

"Obviously he didn't shoot the ball as well as he wanted to the first game," Reaves told the media Tuesday. "I didn't think he took bad shots, I thought all of his shots were good. They all looked good."

James recorded five points on 2-of-6 shooting during Los Angeles' matchup with the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. He also compiled three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.

The No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft wasn't able to carve out a constant role in the Lakers' rotation last season, averaging 2.3 points in 6.7 minutes per game on 31.3/28.1/78.6 shooting splits.

James displayed some encouraging signs in the G League as a member of the South Bay Lakers, though.

He averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 38.0 percent from behind the arc across 11 regular-season appearances with South Bay.

Reaves, James and the Lakers will open the 2025-26 regular season against the Warriors on Oct. 21.