Dalton Knecht’s Lakers Tenure Has Hit a Crossroads — and a Trade May Be the Best Outcome

Dalton Knecht’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers has not gone according to plan.

Selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the former Tennessee standout was widely viewed as one of the steals of the class. His shooting pedigree and college production suggested he could make an immediate impact for a team looking to surround its stars with spacing.

Fast forward to early 2026, and that optimism has largely faded.

Knecht is no longer a consistent part of JJ Redick’s rotation, and his diminishing role has sparked legitimate questions about his long-term future in Los Angeles.

According to Lake Show Life contributor Svyatoslav Rovenchuk, the Lakers should seriously consider ending the experiment sooner rather than later — via a trade that benefits both sides.

“There is an inescapable feeling that Knecht will not have the best version of what his career could be in Los Angeles,” Rovenchuk wrote.

“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.”

Why the Fit Hasn’t Worked

Knecht entered the 2025–26 season with momentum after a promising rookie year, but Year 2 has exposed several flaws that have limited his effectiveness:

• Questionable shot selection

• Limited off-ball movement

• Struggles as a perimeter defender

For a team built around stars who require reliable two-way contributors, those weaknesses have been magnified. Redick’s system demands discipline, defensive awareness, and movement without the ball — areas where Knecht has yet to consistently deliver.

As Rovenchuk notes, the Lakers simply aren’t equipped to mask those deficiencies, nor is Knecht being used in a role that maximizes his offensive strengths.

A Trade Could Benefit Everyone Involved

At this stage, moving on from Knecht could serve both parties well.

For the Lakers, dealing the former first-round pick could open the door to:

• A more dependable two-way role player

• Better lineup balance around their stars

• A cleaner roster fit for Redick’s vision

For Knecht, a change of scenery might be exactly what he needs.

“Freeing their former first-round pick should help both sides get what they should really be looking for,” Rovenchuk wrote.

“The hope for Knecht would be finding a situation that is more readily willing to lean on his strengths as a pro.”

Still Time for a Reset

The silver lining for Knecht is age and timing. At 24 years old with just one full NBA season under his belt, his career is far from defined. A different system — one that prioritizes volume shooting and provides defensive cover — could allow him to reset and grow.

For the Lakers, holding onto a player who no longer fits risks stagnation. For Knecht, staying in a situation where his role continues to shrink could stall his development altogether.

Sometimes, the best move isn’t forcing a fit — it’s recognizing when it’s time to move on.

In this case, a Dalton Knecht trade may be exactly that: a clean break that helps both sides find what they’re actually looking for.