Lakers predicted to cut ties with recently-demoted $18 million guard via trade

Sometimes, the best way to help a struggling player is to cut him loose. 

There’s nothing wrong with a young asset starting fresh with a new franchise and improving his odds of maximizing his potential in the big leagues. 

If the Los Angeles Lakers know what’s best for them, they would do so as soon as possible with the recently demoted second-year guard, according to Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts.

“Los Angeles traded Knecht to Charlotte in the later rescinded Mark Williams deal,” Watts wrote Saturday. “That was the beginning of the end for the former first-round draft pick. He was known as a shooter and scorer coming into the NBA, but has struggled to live up to that billing.”

“His defense hasn’t improved, and the Lakers have the 24-year-old glued to the bench again. Knecht still has two years left on his rookie contract, but LA will look to make him part of a trade package. He still has potential, but the 6-foot-6 wing needs a new home to realize it. Expect the Lakers to find him one soon enough.”

Things have quickly gone downhill for Knecht in Los Angeles. Although Knecht’s tenure with the Lakers hasn’t been all negative, he hasn’t played at a high or consistent enough level to justify the franchise retaining him for the foreseeable future.

Just a month ago, JJ Redick and the Lakers felt inclined to send Knecht to the G-League for a short period, which was a logical move considering the Tennessee product didn’t regularly appear in Los Angeles’ lineup. 

Knecht’s playing time has been erratic since returning to the big leagues, giving the Lakers an incentive to part with the 24-year-old guard when the perfect opportunity arises.

Knecht, who’s averaging 4.8 points per game on 43.7% field goal shooting and 31.9% three-point shooting this season, shouldn’t expect to be on the Lakers for much longer.

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