Austin Reaves is familiar with the struggles of being a rookie in Los Angeles. Now, he’s taking that experience to mentor Dalton Knecht, who was traded to the Charlotte Hornets last week but has been brought back by the Lakers. The failed trade was sparked by concerns over Mark Williams’ medicals, leading the Lakers to rescind the deal.
Reaves expressed his excitement about having Knecht and fellow rookie Cam Reddish return to the team. “It’s been good… We’re super excited to have him back,” Reaves said. While the situation is awkward for Knecht, who may feel unwanted on the team, the Lakers need all the help they can get to build a deep playoff roster.
Knecht’s outside shooting could be a key asset with new teammate Luka Doncic on board. As a bench player, he might find himself in valuable role off the bench and experience the playoffs for the first time.
However, the Hornets are reportedly considering disputing their failed physical exam, which could still make Knecht a Hornet despite being brought back by the Lakers. The league’s decision will determine whether the trade is still valid, potentially forcing Knecht to return to Charlotte.
Source: https://lakersnation.com/austin-reaves-excited-to-have-dalton-knecht-back-on-lakers