The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a 3-0 start, and Austin Reaves believes their lack of egos is helping the team get results. But when Reaves praised the group’s willingness to embrace their roles, NBA fans had different ideas about who he might have had in mind.

Some wondered whether the guard was taking a subtle shot at LeBron James, who left Los Angeles for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. Others believed the comments had more to do with Deandre Ayton, whose short Lakers stint ended with a trade to the Washington Wizards.

NBA Fans Debate Who Austin Reaves Meant by ‘No Egos’ Remark

Reaves offered his thoughts after the Lakers erased an 18-point deficit to beat the Utah Jazz 132-123 on Sunday. With James gone, Reaves has taken on an even bigger role alongside Luka Dončić, serving as the team’s secondary scorer and a key playmaker.

When discussing the team’s chemistry, Reaves credited the players with understanding their responsibilities and putting winning first, per Spectrum SportsNet.

“We have a team that understands roles and what is asked of them to do,” Reaves explained. “And if they’re gonna do everything that we ask them to do, you gotta help them in situations. I think the beautiful thing about our team is there’s no egos, there’s no anything. You just wanna win basketball games, and however that happens is the main thing.”

Reaves did not mention James or compare the current locker room with previous Lakers teams. Still, the comments quickly sparked speculation online.

One NBA fan wondered whether the guard was taking aim at his former teammate, asking, “Is he dissing bron ? Bet.”

Another fan took the speculation further, declaring, “They really hated the tf outta Bron lmfao.”

However, others pushed back against the idea that James was the target. One fan argued, “Trolls mentioning Bron are ignored this obviously about Ayton.”

Another defended Reaves’ relationship with the four-time NBA champion, adding, “Reaves loves LeBron so I’m not gonna entertain trolls lmao.”

A separate fan was equally dismissive of the James angle, writing, “This isn’t about Bron lol.”

Lakers Lead also stepped in to defend Reaves, warning against reading too much into the comments: “Incoming comments thinking this is sneak dissing bron. If u know ANYTHING about Austin Reaves he has the ultimate respect for LeBron.”

Some fans, however, pointed to a different target: Ayton, the Lakers’ former center.

Los Angeles signed Ayton in July 2025 to address its need for size and rim protection. However, his lone season (2025-26) with the team fell short of expectations.

He averaged a career low of 12.5 points per game before the Lakers traded him to Washington in July 2026 for guard Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks (2031, 2032).

One NBA observer bluntly put it, “Fried Ayton.”

Another offered a harsher assessment of his time in Los Angeles, quipping, “The Ayton experience was miserable for everyone lmao.”

A separate commenter also leaned toward Ayton rather than James as the likely reference, explaining, “People saying Bron but Ayton was the first name that popped up for me. Feel like LeBron did a good job accepting a secondary role last season.”

For now, Reaves has not clarified whether he had anyone specific in mind. With the Lakers unbeaten so far, their early results are giving them plenty to celebrate.

Whether the team’s improved chemistry has anything to do with either James’ or Ayton’s exit, however, remains unconfirmed.