Lakers' Austin Reaves gives emotional response to playing without LeBron James for first time

The Los Angeles Lakers will look like an entirely different team next season, as LeBron James will no longer be wearing the purple and gold. Los Angeles has shifted its focus toward building a younger roster around its future.

James will be playing elsewhere after electing free agency for the fifth time in his career. This marks his first time entering free agency since 2018.

“For the first time since 2018, LeBron James is available in free agency. James informed the Los Angeles Lakers last month that he intends to play his 24th NBA season elsewhere, ending his eight-year run with the franchise. The 41-year-old is now an unrestricted free agent, coming off a season in which he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds on 51.5% shooting. In other words: James can still help a team, which is exactly what he intends to do,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Bobby Marks wrote.

Without James, the Lakers continued their roster construction by bringing back fan favorite Austin Reaves.

“Reaves, who originally agreed to a four-year, $185 million extension with a player option on the final season, ended up inking a four-year, $180 million deal, league sources confirmed to ESPN. Reaves' decision, sources told ESPN, will give the Lakers more financial flexibility moving forward -- making it possible to pursue a player with the non-taxpayer midlevel exception next summer,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote.

Reaves and James have been teammates since Reaves entered the NBA. Now, Reaves opened up about what it will feel like heading into his first season without being on the same team as James.

“I don’t know if I’ve honestly processed it yet. … Starting a season without him on the team is going to be different for me. That’s kind of all I’ve ever known … Got nothing but love and respect for him,” Reaves said.

There is no doubt that James has been a role model for Reaves, taking him under his wing when he first arrived in Los Angeles. James played a major role in helping Reaves develop into the player he has become throughout his young career.

Before Luka Doncic arrived in Los Angeles, Reaves consistently turned to James for advice and guidance. Now, the undrafted guard will enter a new chapter without seeing James’ locker room presence every day. Reaves admitted he does not yet know how he will react to the change.

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