Could Dalton Knecht find a new home before the deadline?
Dalton KnechtThe 2025 season had a strange moment. For a brief moment, Los Angeles Lakers the forward was a member of the Charlotte Hornets after being traded for Mark Williams. However, Williams failed his physical, causing the trade to be rescinded and Knecht returning to LA. Then he would finish the season with the team without any problems and continue to be there.
However, trade rumors continued to swirl around Knecht. If anything, the failed Lakers trade only proved that the team was willing to trade him for the right price. This season Knecht seems to be once again on the trading block and is a real candidate to change teams until February.
“Another player to watch for possible fresh starts is the Lakers’ Dalton Knecht, who was traded to Charlotte a year ago before being forced back to LA when the Purple and Gold voided the deal to acquire Mark Williams from the Hornets,” Marc Stein reported in his recent blog.
Knecht, the Lakers’ second-round pick last season, has fallen out of the rotation. While his offensive skills are solid enough and he’s an excellent shooter from deep, his defensive issues haven’t gotten much better. As a result, Knecht remains in the JJ Redick doghouse, getting some minutes here and there but never really getting a solid role.
Three weeks ago, Knecht got an extended look after a brief stint in the G League. Redick talked about what he wanted to see from the Lakers going forward in the next few games.
“Play hard, that’s been the biggest emphasis for him all season,” Redick said, per ClutchPoint’s David Japkowitz. “He’s not going to be judged on whether he makes or misses shots. . . . when you go through a stretch where you feel like your team isn’t playing hard, you’ve got to play things that are consistently playing hard. I think he’s had some really good moments already this season. I think for him, probably in the next week or so, he’s going to have consistent playing time and consistent opportunities to play.”
2026-01-28 15:44:00
