TITLE: Lakers Reportedly Weighing Dalton Knecht Trade Ahead of Training Camp
SLUG: lakers-reportedly-weighing-dalton-knecht-trade-ahead-of-training-camp
CONTENT:
Los Angeles Lakers swingman Dalton Knecht could be on the move before his second NBA season even begins, league sources told Hoops Wire.
The 24-year-old was nearly dealt to the Charlotte Hornets midway through last season, and his standing has grown shakier after a difficult Summer League. Knecht averaged just 10.3 points while shooting 27.9% from the field and 23.8% from three-point range, a steep decline for a player once penciled in as a key scorer off the bench.
Head coach JJ Redick attributed the slump to overwork. “The guy did too much after the season,” Redick said, noting that Knecht was in the gym as early as 5 a.m. for additional workouts. “In Summer League, he was burnt out,” the coach added.
Doncic Presses for Immediate Success
While Knecht’s role remains uncertain, the Lakers’ overall direction appears set. Luka Doncic, along with LeBron James and Austin Reaves, headlines a roster determined to rebound from last year’s first-round playoff exit. According to CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish, the 26-year-old star informed general manager Rob Pelinka and Redick in May that he does not intend to wait through a rebuild, emphasizing a win-now approach that is already influencing offseason decisions.
Training camp opens next month, giving Knecht a final opportunity to solidify his place—or prompting the front office to explore trade options that match Doncic’s timetable.
Source: Hoops Wire
