Austin Reaves Admits LeBron James' Exit Still Doesn't Feel Real

Austin Reaves is preparing for a new chapter with the Lakers, but one part of the upcoming season still hasn’t fully sunk in.

For the first time in his NBA career, Reaves will take the floor without LeBron James as a teammate after the four-time MVP ended his eight-year run in Los Angeles to begin the next stage of his career in free agency.

Reaves admitted the reality of James’ departure still feels strange, speaking to reporters at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

“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.”

James’ exit signals a major shift for the Lakers, who are now building around Luka Doncic and Reaves after committing to the guard with a four-year, $185 million maximum contract this offseason.

The transition could be made easier by Reaves’ relationship with Doncic, which has quickly become one of the closest on the roster.

“He’s one of my best friends on this planet,” Reaves said speaking on his friendship with Doncic. “I talk to him almost every single day. He sends me videos of his golf swing and asks me what he can do to get better and I tell him I’m not a coach. …”

The Lakers have also reshaped the roster around their new core, adding Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton as they look to remain in the Western Conference playoff picture without James.