Lakers Dalton Knecht has seen his performance and role decline following a failed trade for Mark Williams. After a promising debut season, the shooter’s playing time dropped significantly in Year 2, leading critics to blame the Lakers’ mismanagement for stalling his NBA development.
The Los Angeles Lakers‘ 17th pick in the 2024 Draft has been in trade conversations since they have acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks.
Position
SF
Age
25
Height
198 cm
Weight
98 kg
Birth place
Fargo, United States of America
Dalton Knecht was chosen by the Lakers as a promising young shooter, who was supposed to stretch the floor next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
However, after Doncic arrived to LA, Knecht was part of a trade package for Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. Ultimately, the trade didn’t happen because of Williams’ failed physical.
The 25-year-old has been with the Lakers ever since and Colin Keane from Lake Show Life believes that the Los Angeles team can only blame themselves for Knecht’s drop off in performance.
“Knecht’s defensive flaws make him dispensable, but it still feels like the Lakers missed out on a really solid NBA player by yanking Knecht around and being careless with his development,” Keane wrote.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he sticks somewhere else and turns into a productive rotational player in the years to come.”
Dalton Knecht
Credit Getty Images via AFP – Scanpix
Dalton Knecht’s promising Lakers start faded in Year 2
Dalton Knecht arrived with the Los Angeles Lakers as the 17th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft and quickly looked like one of the steals of his class. As a rookie, he averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.2 minutes while shooting 37.6% from three-point range across 78 games, including 16 starts.
His second season, however, represented a significant step backward. Knecht’s playing time dropped to just 10.2 minutes per game, while his production fell to 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds. He appeared in 54 games but started only once, with his three-point percentage also slipping to 34.2%.
The decline was particularly notable considering how much value Knecht appeared to have during his rookie year.
After entering his second year as a promising young scorer, Knecht instead found himself on the edge of the Lakers’ rotation. His shooting ability remains his biggest weapon, but after such a sharp sophomore decline, rebuilding his role and value has become the next challenge of his NBA career.
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