Just as the NBA season tips off, Austin Reaves and his girlfriend Jenna Barber are making a huge personal move — literally.
Barber, a graduate student at Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, shared on Instagram that the couple has secured a home in the Los Angeles area and will soon be living under the same roof. "Currently: Got a house / Graduation in Dec. / THREE more months long distance!!!!" she wrote, signaling the end of their cross-country separation.
The announcement comes at a pivotal time for Reaves, who is entering the 2026-27 season with the Lakers under a massive four-year, $185 million contract extension. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, the spotlight shifts squarely to Luka Doncic and Reaves, who is coming off a career year that saw him average 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Reaves has been busy preparing for the new-look Lakers, and he's clearly excited about the defensive potential of the revamped roster. "Trying to score on Matisse [Thybulle] and Ziaire [Williams], especially with Adou [Thiero] out there too and Walker [Kessler] on the back line is not easy," he said. "I had to deal with that all day yesterday and today, and it's not fun. So defensively, we're gonna be much better. Those guys compete every possession, and everybody else fills in the roles and plays the right way. So, yeah, I see how special we can be."
With Barber's graduation set for December, the couple's long-distance chapter is nearly over. Until then, Reaves will have to focus on leading the Lakers through a demanding season, starting with their preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings on Monday, October 5, at 10 p.m. ET, airing live on NBA TV.
Reaves' personal life has been a topic of interest among fans, much like other athletes' relationships, such as Justin Herbert's girlfriend sparking an outfit debate or Anthony Volpe's rumored girlfriend turning heads. But for Reaves, the focus is on basketball and building a future both on and off the court.
As the Lakers gear up for what promises to be a transformative season, Reaves' stability at home could be just what he needs to elevate his game. With Doncic running the show and Reaves as a key sidekick, the purple and gold have high hopes. And with Barber by his side in LA, Reaves can concentrate on proving that the Lakers are still a force to be reckoned with.
The move also marks a new chapter for Barber, who has been pursuing her chiropractic degree while supporting Reaves from afar. Her graduation in December will bring an end to the long-distance phase, and the couple can finally start building their life together in the City of Angels.
For now, Reaves is focused on the hardwood, but the excitement of having his partner close by is undeniable. As the season unfolds, fans will be watching to see if this personal milestone translates into on-court success for the Lakers.
