The Los Angeles Lakers have won without LeBron James and without Luka Doncic this season. Now they are going to need to figure out a way to win without Austin Reaves, at least for awhile.

Reaves has suffered a calf strain and will miss at least a week, per a report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Friday, Dêcmber

New story: Austin Reaves will be reevaluated in approximately one week because of a mild calf strain, the latest challenge for a Lakers team that has lost three out of their last five games

“New story: Austin Reaves will be reevaluated in approximately one week because of a mild calf strain, the latest challenge for a Lakers team that has lost three out of their last five games,” McMenamin wrote.

As of Friday, Los Angeles had a record of 17-7, which was good enough to hold the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference.

Austin Reaves’ Absence Represents Serious Setback for Lakers, Could Easily Last Longer Than One Week

GettyAustin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Reaves’ absence is no small thing, as he is in the midst of a breakout/contract season in which he is averaging 27.8 points, 6.7 assists, 5.6 rebounds and one steal per night.

The Lakers guard has a real chance at earning the first All-Star nod of his career in a hyper-talented and competitive West and profiles as the longterm wingman of Doncic once James, who turns 41 years old later this month, eventually leaves the team and/or retires.

A calf strain is also the most common omen of an injury that has become the bane of NBA stars in recent years — the dreaded Achilles tendon rupture. Calf strains preceded Achilles tears for Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton during last year’s playoffs alone.

There is no evidence pointing to a specific reason, or reasons, for the uptick in an injury that was once more common among older players and also harder to rebound from due to lesser medical science and treatment techniques.

However, some analysts around the league have speculated that the pace of the game, which is faster than ever, and the length of the regular season/postseason combined has taken a toll on younger bodies. There is also thought that focusing on a single sport from early in a player’s life and the repetitive motions over years is catching up to players and causing the risk of Achilles injuries sooner.

Prolonged Austin Reaves Injury Could Impact Lakers’ Chances at Blockbuster Trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo

GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

It is also important to note that while McMenamin’s report references a reevaluation in a week, that does not necessarily mean Reaves will return immediately after that stretch of time. And the Lakers are undoubtedly going to concern themselves more with the long game — both for this season/playoff run, and likely for years to come.

However, an extended absence for Reaves could impact a potential blockbuster move by L.A. at the trade deadline in early February should the team try to use him to acquire a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Such a deal is unlikely to materialize, as the Lakers have only one unprotected first-round pick to trade (2031 or 2032) along with five first-round swaps. That, plus Reaves, probably doesn’t get the Lakers into serious conversations for the two-time MVP and former champion, though Bill Simmons and Rob Mahoney of The Ringer speculated earlier this week that it might.

“Is there a Reaves and a ton of picks and other stuff for Giannis [trade]?” Simmons asked.

“We are earnestly floating Austin Reaves as the primary return in a Giannis trade, and I’m not walking out of the room right now,” Mahoney responded in relative disbelief at his own take.