Lakers guard Austin Reaves admits he hasn’t processed LeBron James’ exit yet

Austin Reaves has only known one version of the Los Angeles Lakers as a professional: the version with LeBron James. And now that James is gone, Reaves isn’t sure he’s fully wrapped his head around what that means.

Speaking Monday at Summer League in Las Vegas, Reaves was honest about the void James leaves behind. “I don’t know if I’ve honestly processed it yet,” he said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I was thinking about it last night when I got here. Starting the season without him being 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.”

Reaves joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and has spent his entire NBA career playing alongside James. The 6-foot-5 guard has seen his role grow from a two-way contract curiosity to a legitimate starter and, after James’ departure, likely one of the team’s primary offensive options.

“Any time I’ve talked about him, I’ve got nothing but love and respect for him,” Reaves said. “And yeah. Let’s play some golf soon.”

James’ decision to leave Los Angeles closes the book on a chapter that brought the Lakers a championship in 2020 and kept them in the playoff mix for the better part of five seasons. But it also opens the door for a new era built around Luka Doncic and, more specifically, Reaves.

Reaves steps into a bigger role

Last season, Reaves averaged a career-high 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three. Those numbers came while James still commanded the ball and the defense’s attention. Now, with James gone, Reaves is expected to take on even more responsibility.

The Lakers finished 53-29 last season, good for fourth in the Western Conference, before getting swept in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The front office has kept busy since then, adding pieces like Walker Buehler, Colin Sexton and Quentin Grimes to a roster that still has work to do if it wants to close the gap on the Thunder and other West contenders.

But Reaves isn’t dwelling on the past. He’s focused on what’s next. And for the first time since he entered the league, that future doesn’t involve LeBron James. He just needs a little more time to let it sink in.