Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

Austin Reaves names the LA Lakers’ breakout player for 2025-26 season, he asked why he’s not on the court

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network | By Dan Coombs | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 8:00 PM ET

LA Lakers star Austin Reaves has high hopes for the 2025-26 season, as the team heads into a crucial rebuilding period.

After finishing the 2024-25 regular season as the third seed, the LA Lakers‘ hopes of a deep postseason run were high.

These dreams came crashing down with a reality check when the team lost their opening playoff series 4-1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers now head into free agency keen to address their weaknesses that were cruelly exposed in the loss.

One player who did not get a run of games in the playoffs was Dalton Knecht, who played in just two of the five games, at an average of two minutes.

Despite this lack of faith from his head coach, teammate Austin Reaves believes Knecht is the player to watch next season.

Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Austin Reaves backs Dalton Knecht

Austin Reaves spoke to Trevor Lane in an offseason interview and gave his prediction for the LA Lakers player to watch in 2025-26.

Reaves did not hesitate to name Dalton Knecht, explaining that he understands he has been putting in the work ahead of his sophomore season.

He said: “I got Dalton. I’ve heard that he’s been locked in for the last two, three weeks in LA working out two, three times a day.

“His talent level is definitely there.”

Reaves says that he saw Knecht becoming inquisitive about the season as it went on, and views this as a positive sign.

He said: “He started to ask questions and be curious, where early in the year he wasn’t.

“I remember after the Chicago game that Josh Giddey hit the half-court shot, we was sitting in the locker room just me and him, and he looked at me and said ‘what do I need to do to get on the court?’.

“I went through my whole spiel of things you can do, but it’s little things like that, there’s a lot for him to learn, the talent’s there.”

Knecht actually played in the most games of any LA Lakers player last season with 78. But only 16 as a starter.

Dalton Knecht future uncertain

Dalton Knecht played fewer minutes following the Luka Doncic trade, and despite JJ Redick predicting he could be a playoff game winner, the coach did not give him a chance.

The reality is heading into next season, Dalton Knecht could be traded away, despite his promising rookie season.

Knecht was even traded once, sent midseason to the Charlotte Hornets, until the Mark Williams side of the trade was rescinded.

This was a tough mental situation for Knecht to process, but his return to the Lakers could be shortlived, with the team still on the hunt for a center.

The need to make a trade will depend on what the Lakers are capable of in free agency. When it comes to trades, the team have limited assets, and other franchises know he is available, with Rob Pelinka already making clear that he intends to make moves.

Even Austin Reaves himself is not safe, linked away in trade rumors. He intends to stay put, but in the NBA, you never know.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: