Austin Reaves' Impact on Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis Trade Revealed by Lakers' Pelinka

Before acquiring star guard Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka revealed that he wondered about how his arrival would affect rising wing Austin Reaves.

"In the monthlong process of the Luka Dončić trade discussions, of course, you're thinking about the players you may possibly have to trade in a deal like that, [Anthony Davis] and Max Christie," Pelinka told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "[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."

Rather than having his role diminished, Reaves has remained a reliable No. 3 option for Lakers, who rank third in the Western Conference with a 48-30 record.

McMenamin pointed out that the team is 26-8 this season when he exceeds the 20-point mark, compared to 18-18 when he doesn't.

Pelinka added that he was confident that Reaves would be able to adapt to playing behind behind Doncic and LeBron James, and the 26-year-old has fulfilled his expectations.

"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."