Austin Reaves Reveals Honest Reaction to LeBron James’ Departure: “Going to be Different For Me”

Austin Reaves gave his thoughts on life without LeBron James in Lakers.

Austin Reaves Reveals Honest Reaction to LeBron James’ Departure: “Going to be Different For Me”

Austin Reaves and LeBron James (Image via FirstSportz)

Austin Reaves was the biggest revelation for the Los Angeles Lakers last season. He has shown significant growth with every passing season since joining LeBron James and the Lakers in 2021.

The young guard has come a long way since his rookie season in the NBA. It is surprising to see a player of his talent and potential going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft. It was reported that he declined to be selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 42nd overall pick and instead opted to sign a two-way contract with the Lakers.

After joining the Lakers, Reaves was immediately taken under James’ wing. For the first time in his NBA career, Reaves will take the floor without James as a teammate, and he has still not fully processed it.

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.

Austin Reaves to reporters

Austin Reaves built a strong relationship with James over his five seasons with the Lakers. The four-time champion spotted his talent and helped groom Reaves. LeBron James has often been vocal whenever asked about Reaves’ talent and skill.

There was a possibility of some tension between the two after James’ agent, Rich Paul, suggested that he would trade away Reaves to help the Lakers build a championship squad. But James distanced himself from those comments and everything was fine between the two stars.

However, Reaves will be entering the 2026-27 campaign without James by his side. The 41-year-old decided to part ways with the Lakers after spending eight years with them.

It is a major shift in the organization, which is building its roster around Luka Doncic and Reaves. Following his impressive 2025-26 campaign, Reaves was rewarded with a four-year, $185 million contract. But he will head into the upcoming season without James by his side.

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Austin Reaves took a $5 million pay cut to help the Lakers with roster flexibility

The Lakers made it clear that Reaves’ future with them was their priority over James. Despite bagging a huge deal, it has been reported that Reaves took a pay cut to help the Lakers with roster flexibility, expectedly for the next three seasons after the 2026-27 season ends.

Lakers insider Jovan Buha first reported this change in the terms of Reaves’ deal.

Update on Austin Reaves’ contract with the Lakers: Final terms are four years, $180 million, with a player option in 2029–30, league sources tell me. Reaves agreed to a lower amount than the previously reported $185 million to help give Los Angeles more future flexibility.

Jovan Buha on X

Reaves’ performance last season convinced the Lakers to give him the hefty contract. A few days ago, it was reported that Victor Wembanyama took a big pay cut to help the San Antonio Spurs build their roster around him, and it looks like Reaves has done the same for the Lakers.

Austin Reaves on his relationship with Luka Doncic

Both Reaves and Luka Doncic have become good friends off the court over the last one and a half years. They even became a formidable duo on the court, especially in the first few months of the 2025-26 campaign when James was out injured.

When asked about his relationship with Doncic, Reaves said:

He’s one of my best friends on this planet. 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.

Austin Reaves on his friendship with Luka Doncic

Heading into the offseason, Doncic made it clear that he would like Reaves to stay with the Lakers. The Lakers went 30-11 last season during games in which both Doncic and Reaves were on the floor. It will be interesting to see how far the duo takes them next season.

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