Austin Reaves described his immediate reaction to learning that LeBron James would no longer be his teammate with the Los Angeles Lakers. The news reached Reaves while he was golfing, and he told The California Post that the development "ruined" his afternoon.
James announced his decision to join a new team on June 30, a week after Reaves himself signed a $185 million extension to remain with the Lakers. Reaves, who has never played an NBA season without James on his team, acknowledged it will take time to adjust to his absence.
"I don’t have enough time to explain how much he means to me and my career and what he’s done for me," Reaves said, speaking at the American Century Championship in Nevada. Despite the impact of James' departure, Reaves emphasized that he holds no ill will toward his friend.
"There’s nothing but love and respect," Reaves stated. He added that he hopes to see James on the golf course when he returns to Los Angeles, perhaps to play a few holes together.