The NBA world is waiting for LeBron James to sign his next and presumably final free-agent contract, possibly this week. Among those monitoring James next move is former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Austin Reaves. Speaking to ESPNs Dave McMenamin from the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, the sixth-year guard still cant quite believe that James wont be playing with him in purple and gold this upcoming season. I dont know if Ive honestly processed it yet, Reaves told McMenamin. Starting a season without him on the team is going to be different for me. Thats kind of all Ive ever known is him being around, joking around, acting like hes 15.Austin Reaves on LeBron James leaving the Lakers: I dont know if Ive honestly processed it yet. Starting a season without him on the team is going to be different for me. Thats kind of all Ive ever known Got nothing but love and respect for him pic.twitter.com/hTBW3T3jmI Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 13, 2026After eight seasons with the Lakers, James decided to move on seeking complete happiness and presumably a fifth NBA championship with a new team. (Or an old one, as many expect, if he returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat.) The Lakers also appeared to believe a new beginning was necessary as they build around Luka Doni and Reaves. That included re-signing the 6-foot-5 sharpshooter to a four-year, $185 million max contract. Austin Reaves on Luka Doncic: Hes 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 Im not a coach pic.twitter.com/iOlUoe6GEo Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 13, 2026Envisioning a future without James alongside Doni in the Lakers backcourt might be easier for Reaves as the two developed a close friendship in their two seasons together and constantly discuss how the organization does its business.Hes one of my best friends on this planet, Reaves added. I talk to him almost every single day.That business includes new additions to the roster including center Walker Kessler and forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, along with fellow guards Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton. But playing without James will certainly be different for Reaves, whos had the four-time MVP as his teammate for all six of his NBA seasons. That span included watching James becoming the leagues all-time leading scorer and leader in field goals made, in addition to reaching the milestone of 50,000 career points.The next time Reaves sees James on an NBA court, hell be playing against his longtime teammate. Eventually, the reality of that will set in. The only question now is which uniform James will be wearing and who his new teammates will be.