Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves has paid tribute to one of the team’s former players who he will be reunited with later this week.
After the LA Lakers open their season against the Warriors, they face city rivals the LA Clippers on Friday night.
This will bring the Lakers face-to-face with former player Rui Hachimura, who left in the offseason. Hachimura signed a two-year $28 million deal with the Clippers, with the Lakers unwilling to pay a similar deal.
While the business side of the NBA is always throwing a wedge between players, current Lakers star Austin Reaves says he has nothing but love for his former teammate.
Speaking via Daniel Starkand, Reaves explained how Japanese-born Hachimura tricked him the first time they met.
“He’s an unbelievable human… I didn’t know if he spoke English for the first two weeks. I sat next to him on the plane. He didn’t speak to me and after that I couldn’t get him to shut up.
“I miss him,” he added.
While Hachimura did not get his Lakers pay day, Austin Reaves did. He signed a four-year, $185 million extension in the offseason.
Reaves earned his deal with a career best 23.3 points per game last season, which was more than LeBron James’ 20.9 ppg.
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Another high-profile player to leave the LA Lakers this summer is former MVP LeBron James, who elected to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Reaves was asked about James by LA Times reporter Thuc Nhi Nguyen, and responded to say that he is still adjusting to seeing LeBron as a Sixer.
He said: “I already seen him in the preseason. I almost texted him and told him he looked crazy. But that’s my guy and I wish him nothing but the best.”
James’ season begins on opening night when the 76ers enter Madison Square Garden to face the reigning champions New York Knicks.
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