Why Colin Cowherd Suggests Austin Reaves’ Growth Could Eventually Make LeBron James Expendable…
Sports analyst Colin Cowherd has sparked debate among Los Angeles Lakers fans after suggesting that Austin Reaves’ steady development could one day make LeBron James “expendable.” While his comments were not meant as a slight toward the four-time NBA champion, they reignited discussion about the Lakers’ long-term direction and how the team might evolve beyond the LeBron era.
Speaking on The Herd this week, Cowherd compared the trajectories of James and Reaves, emphasizing how the league increasingly values youth, affordability, and long-term availability.
“Austin Reaves, when you compare him to LeBron, is much cheaper, younger, healthier, and less maintenance,” Cowherd said. “In a league where teams need flexibility, sometimes the younger star fits the future better than the legend.”
Cowherd’s remarks highlight a broader trend across the NBA franchises balancing superstar loyalty with sustainable roster building. With LeBron turning 40 this season and nearing the twilight of his career, conversations about succession planning have naturally grown louder around the Lakers.
Reaves, meanwhile, has evolved from an undrafted player into a reliable starter who contributes on both ends of the floor. His blend of shooting, playmaking, and toughness has made him a key part of Los Angeles’ supporting cast. Last season, he averaged double figures in scoring and proved capable of handling secondary ball-handling duties when James or Anthony Davis were off the floor.
Still, few within basketball circles see Reaves as a direct replacement for LeBron’s impact. James remains one of the most productive and influential players in the league a nightly threat to post triple-double numbers and a crucial leader in the locker room. His presence also continues to attract free agents and maintain the Lakers’ national prominence.
Cowherd’s comments, therefore, appear more about the future than the present. As he noted, NBA teams are increasingly aware of the financial and competitive balance between veteran stars and emerging talent. For a franchise like the Lakers with luxury-tax implications and long-term cap management challenges the idea of building around younger, cost-controlled players will eventually become a pressing question.
From a basketball standpoint, however, the Lakers have made clear that their focus remains on competing for championships with LeBron still leading the way. Head coach Darvin Ham and general manager Rob Pelinka have repeatedly praised Reaves’ progress while stressing that his development complements, rather than threatens, the team’s current foundation.
For now, Cowherd’s suggestion is more of a hypothetical than an immediate concern. But it does speak to a reality every team faces: how to transition from one generation to the next without losing competitiveness or identity.
As the Lakers chase another deep postseason run, Reaves’ continued emergence will be seen as a positive sign of growth not as a challenge to LeBron’s legacy. Yet Cowherd’s comments remind everyone that even the most iconic stars eventually pass the torch, and how gracefully that transition happens often defines a franchise’s next chapter.
