After spending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James decided to leave in free agency. James would join a stacked Philadelphia 76ers team with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Jaylen Brown, and the Lakers would then make a plethora of signings in their first opportunity to build a team properly around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

For Reaves, however, it remains a bit of whiplash for him to see James don a jersey other than the Lakers'. After all, he did spent five seasons in the same locker room with James, and seeing him in Philly colors requires some getting used to. Reaves, in fact, revealed his hilarious reaction to seeing James don a new uniform during preseason.

“I almost texted [LeBron], told him he looked crazy,” Reaves told reporters ahead of the Lakers' season-opener on Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors, via Carlos Yakimowich of The Sporting Tribune. “It's different. But you know, that's my guy. I wish him the best and I'll definitely watch [the 76ers' season opener vs. the New York Knicks].”

Austin Reaves on seeing LeBron in a diffrent uniform.

“I almost texted him and told him he looked crazy.”

(asked by @DStarkand) pic.twitter.com/hg1PYjr1Tr

— Carlos Yakimowich (@CarlosYakJr) October 20, 2026

James was incredible for the Lakers during the 2026 NBA playoffs, averaging 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists as he and Reaves put up a gallant stand amid Doncic's injury woes.

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But in the end, the 41-year-old star wanted another legitimate chance to compete for a title, and he saw that joining the 76ers furthers that goal of his. The Lakers do have a talented roster, but the Western Conference is simply too much of a bloodbath.

Reaves, at the very least, appears to be in line for his best season yet. Last year, he put up 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per contest. Now, he is the legitimate second scoring option for the Lakers and he'll be taking control of the offense alongside Doncic.

It remains quite a marvel that Reaves, who went from a beloved bench guy in his rookie year, endearing himself to James in the process, has blossomed into this big of a star for the Lakers.