Reaves admits that life for the Lakers feels different without LeBron James

Austin Reaves admitted that life at the Los Angeles Lakers will feel very different without LeBron James, saying: “I don’t know if I’ve considered it honestly.”

The guard was speaking publicly for the first time since signing a new four-year, $180 million contract with the Lakers, who initially agreed to terms on a $185m deal before restructuring it to give the franchise greater financial leverage.

“Starting the season without him being on the team is going to be different for me,” Reaves said of James’ departure after eight seasons in Los Angeles.

“He’s someone I only know that he’s around, he’s just joking around, he’s pretending to be 15 years old.

“But that’s his decision and … I have nothing but love and respect for him.”

Despite signing the richest contract ever given to an undrafted player in NBA history, Reaves arrived at a press conference in Las Vegas wearing a backwards cap and golf shirt, looking like the same player who fought to make the league five years ago.

It wakes up ready to climb

Reaves is expected to be one of the key figures of the new era for the Lakers alongside Luka Doncic following James’ exit.

“Luke,” Reaves said, “I mean, you’re one of my best friends on this planet.

“He sends me videos of his golf game and asks me what he can do to get better, and I tell him I’m not a coach.”

Reaves had just returned from competing in the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, where he met the likes of Stephen Curry, Ray Allen and Doc Rivers, before joining the Lakers’ preparations in Las Vegas.

There he met many new colleagues, including Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili.

“The pieces that are coming, I’m really excited about them and I’m excited to start today and see where they go,” Reaves said.

Kessler is already a familiar face to Reaves after the two represented Team USA together at the FIBA ​​World Cup.

“He’s a big, compassionate guy who enjoys life and enjoys himself,” Reaves said of the 7-foot-2 center.

“Obviously, you see what he does basketball-wise and how he affects the game. He’s good defensively, he’s good in the pocket. He’s a smart player.

“So I’m happy to have him in the team and play with him.”

Lakers improvement list

The Lakers will need those new additions to step up following a summer of major change.

Alongside James’ departure, Marcus Smart joined the Houston Rockets, Deandre Ayton moved to the Washington Wizards, Rui Hachimura signed with the LA Clippers and Luke Kennard joined the Phoenix Suns.

“Everybody knows it’s a completely different team,” Reaves said.

“There will be different things asked of different people, and if that’s what JJ is [Redick] and the workers ask me, I will do it with all my power.

Reaves has already shown his commitment to the franchise by taking less than originally agreed upon to help the Lakers improve the roster around himself and Doncic.

“I always wanted to be a Laker,” he said.

“We have that period from the end of the season to the first one [of July] to do something, and we understood it before that.

“My heart was in LA the whole time.”