Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is still processing the departure of LeBron James, who will not return to the team in free agency this summer. Reaves, who recently signed a four-year, $180 million deal to remain with the Lakers, played alongside James for the first four seasons of his career. He shared with reporters that starting a season without James will be a new experience for him, as James’ presence has been all he has known.
Reaves expressed his respect and affection for James, stating that he has nothing but love for him. The guard mentioned that he was thinking about the change recently, acknowledging that James’ decision marks a significant shift for the team. James’ agent confirmed two weeks ago that the four-time NBA champion would not be returning to the Lakers.
A new era for the Lakers
The Lakers are entering a new phase, with James no longer the central figure of the franchise. This transformation began in February 2025 with the trade for Luka Doncic. James’ departure this summer, combined with the arrival of several new players, means the Lakers will present a significantly different roster next season.
Reaves will play a crucial role in this new era, forming a strong partnership on the court with Doncic. His contract ensures his presence in Los Angeles for at least four seasons, including a player option for the 2029–30 season. Reaves indicated that his heart was always set on remaining with the Lakers.
The team has undergone a substantial overhaul, with eight new players joining the roster. Among the new additions are Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Kevon Looney, and Ziaire Williams. Reaves expressed excitement about these new teammates and the prospect of starting the season with them.
Roster changes and player perspectives
The offseason has been focused on building a complementary roster around Doncic. Keeping Reaves in Los Angeles for the long term was a key part of this strategy. Reaves reportedly took a discount on his original extension to help the team maintain financial flexibility, giving up approximately $5 million in total.
Walker Kessler, a 7-foot-2 center, was acquired from the Utah Jazz in a trade. He signed a contract. The Lakers sent out two unprotected first-round picks for 2031 and 2033, along with two first-round pick swaps for 2028 and 2030, to secure Kessler. He acknowledged the significant investment the team made to bring him to Los Angeles.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, a power forward, signed a deal. He averaged 11.2 points last season with the Toronto Raptors, shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range. Guard Collin Sexton also joined the Lakers on a deal. Sexton, who averaged 15.4 points last season with Chicago and Charlotte, humorously noted that James has departed both times he has joined a team.
Reaves emphasized that everyone knows it is a completely different team, and different things will be asked of various players. He affirmed his commitment to fulfilling any role requested by coach JJ Redick and the staff to the best of his ability. The Lakers’ goal is to build a strong team around Doncic, with Reaves as a key component of their revamped roster.
The Lakers’ transformation includes the departure of all players who started alongside Reaves in the playoffs last spring, marking a complete overhaul of the roster for the upcoming season.
Source: sports.yahoo.com