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Dalton Knecht has been a massive disappointment in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform.
The Tennessee product was selected by the Lakers with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and was considered a steal at the time.
However, fast forward to early 2026, and Knecht isn’t a part of JJ Redick’s regular rotation, prompting many to raise questions about his future with the franchise.
In Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk’s opinion, the Lakers should end the failed Knecht experiment after less than two seasons via a ‘win-win’ trade.”
“Knecht-Lakers breakup should be a win-win for both sides,” Rovenchuk wrote last Friday.
“There is an inescapable feeling that Knecht will not have the best version of what his career could be in Los Angeles. The Lakers do not have the personnel to cover up his shortcomings. Meanwhile, Knecht is not perfectly cast as an off-ball shooter for the team either.”
“Freeing their former first-round pick should help both sides get what they should really be looking for. The Lakers can kick the tires on a two-way support piece around their stars. The hope for Knecht would be finding a situation that is more readily willing to lean on his strengths as a pro.”
Knecht entered the 2025-26 season with high expectations after an encouraging rookie campaign. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old’s weaknesses have been on full display, as his poor shot selection, inability to move well without the ball, and failure to hold his own as a perimeter defender have plagued him in Year 2.
The good news for Knecht is that he’s only completed one full season in the big leagues and should have a somewhat bright future if he can turn his weaknesses into strengths with a different organization.
Essentially, moving on from Knecht will allow the Lakers to land an asset better suited for Redick’s system in Los Angeles and give the 6-foot-6 wing a chance to start over.
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