There was a point in the 2025-26 season where the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz appeared to be headed down agonizingly similar paths. Just one season removed from breakout performances by promising young wings, both Los Angeles and Utah were struggling to feature their could-be cornerstones in the nightly rotation.
Unfortunately, while Dalton Knecht has continued to struggle to secure playing time with the Lakers, Brice Sensabaugh is breaking out with the Jazz.
I wrote in December that the unfortunate circumstances facing Knecht and Sensabaugh created a unique opportunity for a trade to be executed. In the outlined scenario, the Jazz and Lakers would agree to a one-for-one swap predicated on providing both players and teams with a fresh start.
For as simplistic as it makes the life of an NBA player seem, there's ample evidence that some athletes simply need a change of scenery to realize their potential.
Knecht has continued to struggle to secure a prominent role, only once playing more than 15 minutes in a game. The same simply can't be said for Sensabaugh, who's in the midst of a run that could have him bordering on untouchable in trade discussions.
Highlighted by a 43-point performance against the Chicago Bulls, Sensabaugh has made it perfectly clear that he's too valuable to give up on so soon.
Brice Sensabaugh is thriving while Dalton Knecht fights for minutes
Sensabaugh has scored at least 20 points in four of his 11 appearances since Christmas. That includes the aforementioned showing during which he tallied 43 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals on 15-of-22 shooting from the field and a 5-of-10 mark from beyond the arc.
A powerful wing at 6'6" and 235 pounds, Sensabaugh is beginning to look like the starting-caliber player he appeared to be becoming in 2024-25.
Sensabaugh finished the 2024-25 season with averages of 10.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.2 three-point field goals made in just 20.2 minutes per game on .459/.422/.890 shooting. He excelled as the season progressed, posting 14.2 points in 25.0 minutes over his final 26 appearances.
Unfortunately, Sensabaugh began the 2025-26 season by averaging just 8.9 points on .412/.331/.889 shooting prior to Christmas.
Since then, Sensabaugh has overcome his erratic three-point shooting by getting inside and showing the full scope of his scoring arsenal. He's averaging 16.3 points on .493/.333/.862 shooting since Christmas, and has thus eliminated any chance of Utah agreeing to a swap for Knecht.
Trade opportunities should still exist ahead of the deadline, but the Lakers' refusal to let Knecht learn by fire in the way Sensabaugh has continues to cost them dearly.