Markieff Morris isn’t holding back on Dalton Knecht’s trade request

Ex Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris offered a rough estimate of Dalton Knecht‘s reported the trade request, sharing unfiltered comments about the young guard’s confidence, on-court limitations and the tense situation with the franchise.

In the latest episode of The Morris Code, Morris addressed Knecht directly recounting his first impressions and later interactions with the former first-round pick. The comments came as reports surfaced that Knecht had officially requested a trade from Los Angeles, which the team is expected to accept.

“He’s arrogant as s—t. Like super arrogant. Super confident. His chest is wide as s—t at all times. And he did me a little wrong. I’m like this little n—-, you haven’t done anything in the league. You’ve got to pull your chest in, you’ve got to calm him down a little bit,” Morris said. “Then when I get to know him a little bit, we play pick-up. I break him — and s — t. He’s like, ‘Damn, you can still hoop G.’

Morris said his perspective changed after getting to know Knecht away from the court, including a dinner conversation where Knecht explained the thinking behind his behavior.

“Such a long story that I had to get to know him a little bit. And at dinner he told me why he is like that,”

Morris said. “He’s like, ‘Bro, I’m a white basketball player. How else could I be? If I’m tucked in here and I’m trying to be a yes sir, it’s not going to work for me. I’ve got to stick my chest out because I’m confident in my abilities.'”

The trade of the scrapped Hornets lingered during Dalton Knecht’s second season with the Lakers

While Morris credited Knecht’s offensive prowess and confidence, he was equally forthright about his shortcomings.

“Right, he can play. He can’t guard the fucking body,” Morris said. “That’s my junior, he can play. He deserves time, but he just can’t guard the fucking body.”
Morris joined the Lakers along with Luka Doncic around the same time last season

Knecht was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in the Mark Williams deal which was eventually abolished. According to league observers, that sequence marked a turning point in Knecht’s relationship with the organization. After the trade fell apart, Knecht reportedly felt he was no longer part of the Lakers’ long-term plans, creating an awkward dynamic that lingered into the next season.

Now in his second year in Los Angeles, Knecht’s role has diminished. The 24-year-old is averaging 4.8 points and 1.5 rebounds while shooting 44.2% from the field, 68.8% from the free throw line and 32.3% from three-point range in 37 games with one start and 12.4 minutes per game. These numbers represent a significant drop from his rookie season, when he averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 46.1% overall and 37.6% from beyond the arc in 78 games.

According to Offside’s Anthony Irwin, Knecht has requested a trade, and the Lakers are expected to approve it.

Los Angeles enters the second leg of its eight-game road trip at 28-18, sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. The The Lakers lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-99 and are scheduled to face the Washington Wizards (11-34) on Friday night at 7:00 PM ET on MNMT.