The Lakers’ preseason shuffle may end with Dalton Knecht on the move.
NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake L. Fischer reported that Los Angeles has talked with Milwaukee about a possible deal that would send Knecht and second-round draft capital to the Bucks in exchange for Jericho Sims.
“League sources say that the Lakers and Bucks have held exploratory trade discussions on a framework that would ship former first-round selection Dalton Knecht to Milwaukee (along with second-round draft capital) in exchange for big man Jericho Sims,” they wrote in their latest Substack.
They also noted the talks may not lead anywhere.
“Yet it must be said that I’ve also heard some pessimism from sources briefed on those talks that such a trade will actually go through,” they further added.
Knecht’s role has already shrunk sharply in the preseason. Across four games, he has logged just 40 minutes total, including a DNP against the Kings in the third exhibition. In the three games he did play, he put up 3.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists per night while shooting 3-for-11 from the floor and 1-for-8 from deep.
That kind of production has only strengthened the feeling that he’s fallen out of the rotation heading into the regular season.
Sims, meanwhile, has been efficient in his own preseason work. The 6-foot-10 big man has averaged 4.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists across four preseason appearances while shooting 8-for-11 from the field.
He may not have much room in Milwaukee with Myles Turner and Kel’el Ware in the mix, which is why a Lakers move could make sense for him.
Los Angeles also has a roster issue to sort out no matter what happens next. The team is carrying 16 standard contracts and must get down to 15 before the regular season begins.
Knecht, a former first-round pick, has not found steady footing with the Lakers since the team rescinded the trade that had sent him to the Hornets for Mark Williams. Because of that, the Lakers would now need to attach draft capital if they want to move him.
The front office is also still looking for a dependable backup big, and concerns have grown that Kevon Looney may not be a consistent rotation piece. Daniel Gafford has been mentioned often in that discussion, helped by his connection with Luka Doncic as former teammates who reached the NBA Finals together.
If a deal for Sims doesn’t materialize and the Lakers can’t line up another trade partner for Knecht, they may simply waive him to get to the 15-man limit. If the Sims deal does go through, Bronny James would be the next likely player to be waived.
Jarred Vanderbilt is also viewed as the next most likely trade candidate.
For now, the decision sits with the Lakers’ front office as opening night approaches. Los Angeles is less than a week from tipping off against the Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.
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