Lakers’ Austin Reaves experience ‘shock’ feelings after trades

On February 7, 2025By Littum

The youngest members of Los Angeles Lakers Has been realizing over the past few days that nothing is a guarantee in the NBA.

The excitement of the trade deadline and the change in reality has proven to be an eye -opening experience.

Austin Reaves expressed just how hard the last few days have been on him.

“This is the first situation that has been like a shock,” Reaves said of Lakers’ Trade Anthony Davis to Dallas Mavericks before Luka Doncic Unexpected last weekend. “You create real relationships with these guys, and it’s been the hardest part for me.”

Reaves, 26, shared a story about how emotional by a time it had been, using the personal connection he formed with Davis and his son as an example.

He mentioned that Davis would Faceetime one of his children after games who would ask for Reave. The guard would then ask for his 3-point party, and Davis’ child would gladly do so.

“Just little things like that’s why it’s tough,” Reaves said. “It’s a business and you have to get past it and look forward to what we have now.”

The fourth year guard mentioned that he is leaning on LeBron James And other veteran teammates to get advice on how to handle these situations.

“I asked LeBron ‘You’ve been to the league for a billion years and you’ve had a million teammates and you’ve seen people come and go. How are you handling it?’ Because the last few days have been tough for me, ”Reaves said.

No word about what advice James may have given.

Like a rookie, Dalton Knecht23, has also had to learn quickly that NBA is a business.

Knecht was selected 17. Collected by Los Angeles in the first round of the draft in June and began to prove that he could become a promising role playing for the franchise.

He average 9.4 points and 3.1 assists in all 48 of Lakers’ games. Knecht ends his rookie season as a member of Charlotte Hornets.

Who traded Lakers Dalton Knecht for?

General Manager Rob Pelinka acknowledged that Lakers still needs to find a center when he spoke on Tuesday during Doncic’s initial news conference.

Pelinka also suggested that it could take more time to develop the franchise’s next big man to develop than the short window left before the trade deadline.

Pelinka and Lakers made a trade Wednesday that sent Knecht, Guard Cam Reddish, a first round of swap from 2030 and their 2031 first round elections for hornets for center Mark Williams.

The age of the 23-year-old center is consistent with Doncic, which is 25, potentially forming a tandem that Lakers can invest in and build around when planning a future without James, which is 40.

The biggest concern with Williams is his injury history.

The third-year center played in 43 games as a rookie in 2022-23, but has only managed to play in 42 games in the last two seasons, including 23 of Hornets ’48 games this season.

Williams has had a number of lower leg damage including his knee, foot and ankle.

Who is at the top of Lakers’ rotation?

Lakers may not have finished making movements. After their trade on Wednesday night, the team has an open place on its list.

Lakers can use this place to explore the acquisition market to add depth to all needs positions.

Here’s what Lakers’ starting lineup is expected to look like to end the season plus some important reserves.

Lakers’ starting lineup

Luka Doncic
Austin Reaves
Rui Hachimura
LeBron James
Mark Williams

Lakers’ main reserves

Jaxson Hayes
Jarred Vanderbilt
Dorian Finney-Smith
Gabe Vincent