CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James' decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers this summer -- shifting the NBA landscape once again -- led to a plethora of different emotions.

In Cleveland, they ranged from anger to bewilderment to appreciation for 11 brilliant seasons, including a four-year run that may never be topped in Cleveland sports lore. In Los Angeles, despite some silly Kobe Bryant diehards defacing a couple LeBron murals, it was euphoria.

NBA players had their own reactions. That includes Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Collin Sexton, who was asked at the league's rookie photo shoot what went through his mind when he learned the news.

"Nothing," Sexton said, according to ESPN. "I just understood it was time for me and my teammates to step up. Make sure we're all good and then continue to work hard and get better."

Sexton, the eighth pick of the 2018 NBA Draft and crown jewel of the Kyrie Irving trade, will now be viewed as a building block in Cleveland's quest to stay competitive during this transition. The last time James left Cleveland, the team collapsed, finishing near the bottom of the standings each season.

This time, the team intends to fight for a playoff spot. And the roster is in better shape.

Shortly after James' departure, the Cavaliers announced Kevin Love's contract extension, keeping him under their control for four more years. They've also agreed to terms with combo-guard David Nwaba, big man Channing Frye and swung a trade for former first-round pick Sam Dekker.

The Cavs are also bringing back a bulk of the team that advanced to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight season -- aside from James, of course.

Filling his shoes won't be easy. Impossible is probably closer to the truth. It was just a few months ago when Sexton was making his pitch to James, hoping his arrival could factor into James' free agency decision.

"Let's do it," Sexton said. "I seen you needed a few pieces, one or two pieces this past season, and let's do it. Let's go back to the Finals."

James is gone. Welcome to life in the NBA, where things can change in an instant.

Now Sexton has to help usher in the post-LeBron era. While other NBA rookies pondered James leaving the East, hit with the reality that they have to compete against him or shocked about him leaving Cleveland for the second time, Sexton couldn't afford those thoughts.

His mind was on his newest challenge. Sexton -- and his other teammates -- have plenty of work to do.

The new era of Cavs hoops officially begins on Oct. 17 in Toronto.