The Los Angeles Lakers enter training camp with 16 guaranteed contracts on their books, and Bronny James has the edge over Dalton Knecht to make the trim down to 15 before opening night. The front office has tried to trade Knecht, according to Jake Fischer. LA showed faith in Bronny this summer by picking up his option and keeping him on their roster after LeBron’s departure. The Lakers clearly want to develop Bronny over Knecht moving forward.
The Lakers traded Knecht to Charlotte in the later rescinded Mark Williams deal. The 6’6 wing has struggled ever since. Last season, he averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per game over 54 contests. The Lakers were 11.0 points per 100 possessions worse with Knecht on the floor in medium and high leverage situations. The score-first wing has struggled to make shots and is fighting for his place on the Lakers during training camp.
Knecht went significantly higher in the same draft, but the Lakers have seen James improve as the former first-round pick struggles. Bronny is three years younger and is more likely to be an impactful rotation piece for the Lakers, which gives him the edge heading into training camp.
Bronny James keeps improving
Bronny significantly improved his jumper last season. He shot 38.6 percent over 57 NBA 3-point attempts and made 37.9 percent over 158 attempts when factoring in his G League production. He shot just 33.7 percent over 160 long-range tries as a rookie.
There was improvement virtually across the board for the 21-year-old. He went from a negative win shares per 48 minutes to 0.018. He played more, significantly improved his efficiency, and showed enough that the Lakers wanted to keep him after his famous father’s departure.
Things will be different this year for Bronny. The 6’2 guard is no longer playing in his father’s shadow. He has to earn his place and doesn’t have to worry about setting records with LeBron.
Bronny keeps improving, but there is still work to do. He needs to get more comfortable playing off the ball, display more tenacity, and make strides on defense. James is clearly putting in work. His improvements give him an edge over Knecht.
Dalton Knecht is not rounding out his game
Knecht entered the NBA with serious defensive questions. He was an absolute bucket during his senior year at the University of Tennessee. His scoring and floor spacing got him drafted 17th overall, but the 6’6 wing must round out his game to be an impactful rotation player.
The 25-year-old should be entering his prime, and fans did not see the gains. He shot just 34.2 percent from 3-point range last season. His confidence dropped off as his advanced metrics plummeted. Knecht had a negative value over replacement player (VORP) and produced 0.038 win shares per 48 minutes.
Shooting can be volatile, which is an even bigger problem when that is a player’s lone NBA skill. Knecht even played three games in the G League last season where he struggled to make shots and showed little else. The former first-round pick should dominate against the lesser competition, but it didn’t happen.
Knecht hasn’t improved, and that is not the Lakers' only worry.
Dalton Knecht doesn’t fit on new-look Lakers
Rob Pelinka remade LA’s roster around Luka Doncic this summer. They signed Austin Reaves to a near-max contract and tried to add pieces who could dribble, pass, and shoot. Doncic and Reaves are the Lakers’ top two scorers and playmakers for the foreseeable future.
Head coach JJ Redick cannot play Knecht with that duo. The Lakers need defenders around their stars. Knecht can’t guard on the perimeter, and Los Angeles must cover from Luka and AR. Putting Knecht on one of the opposition’s top two scoring options would be disastrous.
The Lakers signed Collin Sexton to be their sixth man and plan to use Sandro Mamukelashvili in the second unit. Again, the defense just doesn’t work with three subpar options. Knecht’s impact is limited unless he is taking shots. The Lakers simply don’t have that role for him.
Lakers should keep Bronny James over Dalton Knecht
The Lakers have to cut or trade someone to get down to 15 players by 2 pm PT on October 19. The decision is likely between Bronny, Knecht, and Jaden Hardy. Bronny is the cheapest and youngest player of that group. His arrow is pointing up, which should give the 21-year-old the edge in staying on the roster.
This is an open competition during training camp. James needs to display more improvement and solidify his place with the Lakers.
Dalton Knecht should be on the chopping block. He got worse in his second NBA season and doesn’t fit with the current roster. The Lakers don’t need a bucket-getting wing. They are searching for versatility and flexibility to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. Knecht is a one-trick pony that sees his impact limited by not being on the ball and having the freedom to keep firing away.
The Los Angeles Lakers should keep Bronny James over Dalton Knecht on their regular season roster. James keeps improving as Knecht struggles. DK desperately needs a new home and situation if he is going to reach his potential. If the Lakers cannot find a trade, they should move on. It is best for both sides.
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