The NBA world is waiting for LeBron James to sign his next — and presumably final — free-agent contract, possibly this week.
Among those monitoring James’ next move is former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Austin Reaves. Speaking to reporters from the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, the sixth-year guard still can’t quite believe that James won’t be playing with him in purple and gold this upcoming season.
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“I don’t know if I’ve honestly processed it yet,” Reaves told reporters, including ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Starting a season without him on the team is going to be different for me. That’s kind of all I’ve ever known is him being around, joking around, acting like he’s 15.”
After eight seasons with the Lakers, James decided to move on, seeking “complete happiness” — and presumably a fifth NBA championship — with a new team. (Or an old one, as many expect, if he returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat.)
The Lakers also appeared to believe a new beginning was necessary as they build around Luka Dončić and Reaves. That included re-signing the 6-foot-5 sharpshooter to a four-year, $185 million max contract.
Envisioning a future without James alongside Dončić in the Lakers’ backcourt might be easier for Reaves as the two developed a close friendship in their two seasons together and constantly discuss how the organization does its business.
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“He’s one of my best friends on this planet,” Reaves added. “I talk to him almost every single day.”
That business includes new additions to the roster, including center Walker Kessler and forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, along with fellow guards Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton.
But playing without James will certainly be different for Reaves, who’s had the four-time MVP as his teammate for all six of his NBA seasons. That span included watching James becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer and leader in field goals made, in addition to reaching the milestone of 50,000 career points.
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The next time Reaves sees James on an NBA court, he’ll be playing against his longtime teammate. Eventually, the reality of that will set in. The only question now is which uniform James will be wearing and who will be his new teammates.
