Dalton Knecht’s second season with the Lakers never really found its footing, and one team insider thinks the explanation goes beyond the box score.
On Monday, Jovan Buha floated a trade-related theory for why Knecht still hasn’t won over JJ Redick in Los Angeles. Buha pointed to a broad statistical slide, saying, “The short of it, for me, it’s a couple of things,” before laying out the drop-off in Knecht’s shooting and all-around numbers.
“If you just look at Dalton’s numbers this season compared to last season and across the board, you’ll see his field goal percentage declined, his three-point shooting declined, and his free throw percentage declined. You’ll also see that per 36 or per 100 possessions, he declined as a rebounder and passer.”
Buha said the trend showed up in the advanced numbers too, while also noting that Knecht’s turnover rate almost doubled.
“You look at his advanced metrics, they all decreased across the board, and his turnover rate nearly doubled. I think with Dalton, he hasn’t been the same player since the trade got rescinded.
I think he had already started to decline a bit pre-trade. He had a few big performances post-trade when they were shorthanded.
I think this year he had a couple of decent games, although most of them were in garbage time and shorthanded situations.”
He also raised concerns about Knecht’s processing on both ends of the floor.
“Dalton is a below-average processor on both sides of the ball. His defense, the way that he reads the floor, his decision-making, there are some limitations there.
Offensively, there are several viral clips of him forgetting plays and JJ chewing him out. You cannot forget plays at the NBA level, that is inexcusable as a young guy, especially as an older young guy.”
Buha was referring to the failed 2024-25 midseason deal that would have sent Knecht, Cam Reddish, a future first-round pick, and a pick swap to the Hornets for Mark Williams. A failed physical from Williams killed the trade, and Buha believes the aftermath has lingered for Knecht mentally.
That kind of situation can take a toll on a young player trying to establish himself, especially when he’s suddenly on the trade block only months into his first season. In Buha’s view, Knecht may have taken the message as a sign the Lakers didn’t see him as part of their long-term plans.
The numbers back up the rough year. Knecht averaged 4.2 points per game this past season while shooting 45.5% from the field and 34.2% from three. As a rookie, he put up 9.1 points per game and shot 46.1% overall and 37.6% from deep.
For Knecht, being part of an unsuccessful trade while still a rookie may have been the toughest break of his NBA start.
In Other News...
Luka Just Gave Lakers Fans A New Reason To Revisit LeBrons Exit
Luka Doncics latest rapid-fire interview offered a reminder of just how naturally his basketball mind gravitates toward Nikola Jokic. The Lakers star kept leaning into the Nuggets center when asked to make quick two-on-two choices, a reflection of the close bond and ongoing banter the two share, and a small but telling glimpse into the kind of player Doncic seems to value most.
The final stretch of the segment only added to the intrigue, with Doncic moving on to Larry Bird and then Michael Jordan in his last picks. For Lakers fans, the bigger takeaway is what this says about the teams new center of gravity after LeBron James offseason departure, because every Doncic answer now feels like part of the bigger conversation about where the franchise is headed next. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers May Be Backing Off Kuminga For A Stunning Veteran Pivot
With LeBron James moving on, the Lakers have been able to lean fully into an offseason plan built around Luka Doncic, and they have already started reshaping the roster with the trade for Walker Kessler and a handful of free-agent additions. Even with those moves in place, the front office has kept its attention on Jonathan Kuminga, whose fit as a young, athletic wing still makes him one of the more intriguing names on their board.
The catch is that the Lakers may not want to wait forever if the Kuminga pursuit stalls. One league source has suggested the team is at least considering a veteran pivot, and that would shift the conversation from upside and long-term fit to a more immediate, established option on the wing. For a team trying to balance urgency with flexibility around Doncic, that kind of fallback could say plenty about how the rest of the summer is likely to unfold. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Linked To Rare Wing Target They Almost Never Can Land
The Lakers are once again being tied to a wing who checks a lot of boxes, and that alone makes the rumor worth watching. Bleacher Reports speculation around Trey Murphy points to the kind of player Los Angeles rarely gets a clean shot at: a big, versatile wing who can space the floor, hold up defensively and add some juice as a finisher around the rim.
Murphys appeal goes beyond the usual trade chatter because he fits the exact sort of roster need the Lakers keep circling back to. He also comes with a sizable commitment still left on his deal over the next three seasons, which helps explain why any serious pursuit would be complicated, and why this could become more than just another name floating through the rumor mill. [Read more 🡒]