If you’re an NBA executive and a team approaches you with the opportunity to make a deal for a star like Luka Doncic–talented, popular and only 25 years old–the knee-jerk reaction is to say “yes” and figure out the details later. And, certainly, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka was on board with acquiring Doncic from the Mavericks as soon as the topic was raised.
But he did have reservations, too. And while the concerns about wedging together LeBron James and Doncic were most-often discussed in NBA circles in the immediate aftermath of the deal, the player Pelinka worried about was guard Austin Reaves.
In an interview with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Pelinka admitted that it was Reaves who was on his mind most as he weighed the final contours of the Doncic trade, which sent Anthony Davis and Max Christie to Dallas.
“In the monthlong process of the Luka Doncic trade discussions, of course, you’re thinking about the players you may possibly have to trade in a deal like that, AD and Max Christie,” Pelinka said. “[But] one of the people I was thinking of the most in my head was just AR, because I knew how close he had gotten to Max and AD and I knew bringing in another primary ball handler would have implications for him.”
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
It’s been so far, so good for Reaves since the Doncic trade, though. Before the All-Star break, Reaves was having a good year (19.1 points, 44.6% shooting, 35.9% 3-point shooting). Since the break, he has been outstanding: 22.6 points, 48.0% shooting, 40.2% 3-point shooting.
Pelinka and the Lakers have been pushing Reaves to be more assertive all season, and it is paying off. When the Lakers were struggling in late March, coach JJ Redick met with Doncic and James–and Reaves, because he is considered as vital to the team’s prospects.
“My theory is basketball geniuses that love to win, find ways to work and click together,” Pelinka said. “And we knew LeBron was a basketball savant, wants to win at the highest level. Obviously Luka Doncic, basketball savant, wants to win at the highest level. And AR is coming into his own there. He gets the game, he sees it. He can fit, really, with anybody.”
