Regardless of going undrafted Austin Reaves is proving to the LA Lakers he was value taking a shot at, he’s impacting the staff on and off the court docket.
Reaves performed an vital function within the facet’s latest hammering of the Washington Wizards within the 96-134 win.
The 26-year-old dropped 17 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists to enhance the standard robust scoring of LeBron James who top-scored with 24.
Whereas Reaves has now turn out to be an embedded member of the Lakers facet and a key half of their latest robust performances he’s now seeking to assist the brand new rookie in Dalton Knecht.
Knecht was chosen with the seventeenth total decide by the Los Angeles Lakers within the 2024 NBA draft and at 6ft 6in shall be a bodily presence on the court docket.
The ahead is slowly being bedded in by coach JJ Redick however he’s nonetheless averaging 20 minutes per recreation in his rookie yr, rather more than Reaves was given in his debut season.
Current reviews recommended that the Lakers had not deliberate to pick Knecht within the draft however given his 24-point efficiency in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers not too long ago they are going to be glad they picked him.
Only a few gamers on the top of Knecht are recognized for his or her athleticism however Reaves has highlighted how he’s ‘jealous’ of the teen’s capability.
Talking on The Younger Males and The Three, Knecht stated: “He can get to the rim, he’s athletic. I’m jealous day by day I see him go dunk one and I’m like ‘man I want I may go do this.’
“His shot-making could be very excessive off of screens, he’s 6′ 8″ and has a reasonably excessive launch, I’ve seen how scorching he can get from three.”
Coming into the NBA in your rookie season isn’t simple, however taking part in for a staff with as many eyes on it because the Lakers makes it even more durable.
Knecht has confronted criticism all through this season from the Lakers followers for his lack of scoring, the star is at present averaging 9.5 factors per recreation.
Reaves, now in his fourth season with the Lakers, has been seeking to go on some key recommendation to his teammate.
Requested what recommendation he has given Knecht, he stated: “Actually simply to be him, he’s a hooper at coronary heart, he is aware of find out how to get a bucket. If something it’s extra about find out how to be efficient defensively, understanding angles, sacrificing your physique.
“He’s on an elite stage when he’s capturing the ball confidently and never serious about it.”
Reaves and the Lakers shall be hoping to get the most effective out of what’s an undoubted expertise in Knecht for the rest of the season.
