LeBron James is entering his 21st season as an unstoppable force. He has won a title for all the three teams that he has played from. On his way to greatness, he has a long history of mentoring young players. He’s helped to develop the careers of Dwyane Wade, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis, among others. This year the Lakers are a fascinating mix of seasoned veterans and young talents. And this summer he had been training a new generation player. 

One of the emerging players has been Austin Reaves. From being an undrafted free agent to signing a four-year contract, he had proved his mantle as a first-five front-court showdown. LeBron has spoken highly of Reaves, but it was not with him that he was practicing in the summer. 

Rui Hachimura has found his “Mr. Miyagi”

LeBron and Hachimura have been working out together throughout the summer, building a strong bond. LeBron sees a lot of potential in Hachimura and has taken him under his wing. “We’ve worked out together all summer. I see a lot in him,” he said. He humorously described their relationship at the Lakers’ media day, saying, “I call him my Daniel-san and I’m his Mr. Miyagi”. This reference to the classic film The Karate Kid signifies LeBron’s mentorship role and the student-teacher dynamic between them. 

The 25YO forward from Japan has shown significant promise. He was a key player in the Lakers’ deep playoff run last season, and his solid performances earned him a three-year, $51 million deal with the Lakers. With LeBron’s guidance, Hachimura is expected to play a crucial role in the Lakers’ quest for another championship. He is vying for a spot in the first five front-court. 

The Lakers have another young asset in Austin Reaves

Austin Reaves has been quietly making a name for himself. The 25-year-old shooting guard joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent and has proven to be a valuable addition to the team. Reaves and the Lakers have agreed to a four-year, $56 million deal.

READ MORE: 25YO Austin Reaves’ Massive Claim on Why LeBron James Believes in Him: “From Day 1 We Connected on That IQ Level”

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