Ariza is adapting to team

Uncertainty and apprehension appeared in the Lakers’ locker room soon after the trade was announced.

The move that brought Trevor Ariza to the Lakers and sent Brian Cook and Maurice Evans to Orlando was met last month with raised eyebrows, even genuine concern, by players who thought the success of the Lakers’ second unit could be affected by losing two peripheral contributors.

That unease has gradually faded.

Ariza responded to his first start as a Laker with 14 points, seven rebounds and a memorable dunk over Grant Hill in the Lakers’ 122-115 victory on Tuesday over Phoenix.

Ariza’s minutes have risen in recent games, while Evans and Cook have seen a decrease in their playing time with the Magic. Evans had one point in six minutes on Wednesday against New York, and Cook did not get onto the court for a fifth consecutive game.

Evans is averaging 6.2 points in 18.6 minutes a game with Orlando, and Cook is averaging two points in 6.2 minutes.

Ariza is averaging 5.8 points and 14.2 minutes since joining the Lakers.

The Lakers’ players found out about the Nov. 20 trade a few minutes before boarding the team bus in Indianapolis to play the Pacers.

“Super surprising, man,” was how Andrew Bynum put it at the time. Bynum was close friends with Evans, and Luke Walton was tight with Cook.

Coach Phil Jackson felt compelled to talk to the team when the trade was announced, serving up a reminder that basketball is also a business.

On Thursday, Jackson seemed to be pleased with Ariza, saying “It’s still a little bit of a crash course for him, but he’s doing well.”

After Ariza dunked over Hill, a solitary voice from the courtside seats could be heard over the din of the crowd.

“Hey, Grant, will you sign my poster?” a fan yelled derisively.

Ariza, who played at Westchester High and one season at UCLA, said he felt more settled with the Lakers with every passing day.

“Since I’ve been here, I’m getting my confidence back and starting to be more comfortable,” he said.

In addition to working out well on the court, the trade saved the Lakers about $6 million over the next three seasons and could potentially save them $9.1 million if Ariza opts out of his contract in July.

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The Lakers would love to forget their last game against tonight’s opponent, Utah, which stuck them with a numbing 120-96 loss despite playing without injured starters Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur on Nov. 30.

Point guard Deron Williams shredded the Lakers for a career-high 35 points and forward Andrei Kirilenko was everywhere, compiling 20 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, six steals and four blocked shots.

“These guys are trying to forget it, but I’m going to make them watch tape of it,” Jackson said.

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Center Kwame Brown practiced Thursday, but it didn’t sound as if he would play tonight.

“He looks old and decrepit even though he’s a young man,” Jackson said. “He’s still not ready for it.”

Brown has sat out 19 games because of a sprained left knee and ankle.

Walton did not practice Thursday and could miss a third straight game because of a sprained right ankle.

TONIGHT

vs. Utah, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 18-10, Jazz 16-14.

Record vs. Jazz -- 1-1.

Update -- Utah has been surprisingly unpredictable this season, losing six consecutive games this month but beating Orlando and Dallas in the last week. Forward Carlos Boozer is averaging 24.6 points and 11.6 rebounds.

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com