Dalton Knecht’s run with the Lakers has gone from promising to precarious in a hurry.
After arriving in the league with plenty of buzz and flashing early as a rookie, the former first-rounder has barely been on the floor in his second season with Los Angeles. Now, with the Lakers trying to trim salary and open up roster flexibility, Knecht is right back in the middle of trade chatter.
The situation has already taken one wild turn. During his rookie season, Knecht was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, only for the deal to be rescinded and send him back to the Lakers.
“In the span of a week, Dalton Knecht went from playing for the Los Angeles Lakers to joining the Charlotte Hornets to going back to the Lakers after the trade that sent him to Charlotte was rescinded,” ESPN insider Dave McMenamin wrote.
This summer, the Lakers have again put him on the block. NBA reporter Evan Sidery said the team is looking to use its assets to upgrade the roster and create more room to maneuver.
“The Lakers are actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks. After gaining two second-round picks in the Deandre Ayton trade, Los Angeles could consolidate those assets in a deal immediately for a starting-caliber wing,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
So far, no deal has come together. Even with his name floating through rumors, Knecht has still been around the team and supporting his teammates during Summer League.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha said the front office will eventually have to clear a spot, and he sees three possible names in the mix.
“Clearly, the Lakers need to dump someone, and I think it's going to be one of three players," Buha said."It's going to either be Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, or Bronny James."
For Knecht, the arc has been a rough one: a hot start, a sudden reversal, and now another summer of uncertainty. The Lakers may struggle to find a trade partner, since his value appears limited at the moment, but he remains one of the most likely players to be moved. A new team could at least give him the chance to get back to steady minutes and a real role.
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