Dalton Knecht Assigned to South Bay as Lakers Look to Spark Young Shooter
Dalton Knecht’s rookie season with the Lakers hasn’t followed a straight line - and that’s not unusual for a young player trying to carve out a role on a veteran-heavy team with playoff ambitions. The minutes have been sporadic, the opportunities limited. But now, the Lakers are giving Knecht a chance to find his rhythm - just not in a purple and gold jersey, at least for now.
On Monday, the Lakers assigned Knecht and fellow young wing Adou Thiero to the South Bay Lakers, the franchise’s G League affiliate. It marks Knecht’s first G League stint of the 2025-26 season, and it comes at a time when reps - real, meaningful, in-game reps - are exactly what he needs.
The Lakers don’t play again until Thursday night, when they travel to face the Utah Jazz. South Bay, however, is in action tonight against the San Diego Clippers, offering Knecht a chance to get back on the floor and shake off some rust.
A Move That Makes Sense for Player and Team
For a 24-year-old still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA, the G League isn’t a demotion - it’s a development tool. Knecht has shown flashes of his offensive potential, particularly from deep, but minutes have been hard to come by in head coach JJ Redick’s rotation.
In his last five appearances with the Lakers, Knecht has logged more than 10 minutes just once. Two of those games saw him play fewer than five minutes, and in the other two, he never even left the bench. That’s not enough runway for a young scorer to find his footing.
And yet, there’s still something there. Knecht is shooting 36.2% from beyond the arc this season - a solid number that reflects his ability to space the floor.
On a Lakers team that has struggled at times to generate consistent perimeter shooting, that skill alone keeps him in the conversation. But in today’s NBA, being a shooter isn’t enough.
Defensive lapses, struggles with physical matchups, and decision-making issues have kept Knecht from earning a more consistent role.
South Bay offers a lower-pressure environment where he can work through those growing pains. He’ll get extended minutes, real touches, and the chance to build confidence - something that’s hard to do when you’re only seeing the floor in garbage time or not at all.
Timing Is Everything
The assignment happened on December 15 - a date that might ring a bell for NBA fans. It’s the unofficial start of trade season, when most offseason signings become eligible to be moved. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Lakers are showcasing Knecht for a potential deal, but it’s worth noting that his name has popped up in trade chatter since the failed Mark Williams swap earlier this season.
With the Lakers battling in the middle tier of the Western Conference standings, it’s tough to find developmental minutes for a second-year player still learning the ropes. But in South Bay, Knecht should have every opportunity to remind the organization - and maybe others around the league - why he was a first-round pick out of Tennessee.
Even if this stint is brief, it could be impactful. A strong showing or two could shift the conversation around Knecht’s role, whether that’s in Los Angeles or elsewhere. At the very least, it gives him a chance to get back into rhythm, build some confidence, and return to the big club sharper and more prepared.
No Harm, All Potential
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a setback. It’s a strategic move.
Knecht has only played more than 15 minutes in 10 games this season. That’s not enough to grow, to experiment, or to learn from mistakes.
South Bay offers that space.
For the Lakers, the assignment costs nothing and could pay off in multiple ways - either by helping Knecht take the next step in his development or by showcasing him as a valuable asset as trade talks heat up.
For Knecht, it’s a chance to play. And for a young scorer trying to find his place in the league, that’s the most important thing.