The Los Angeles Lakers desperately needed Dalton Knecht with three starters already out and Luka Doncic going down in the first half against the LA Clippers on Saturday night, but the second-year wing failed to deliver. He had just two points and only played 13 minutes, which all but seals his fate as trade season heats up.
Knecht has played in just three of the last five games, and Saturday was the first time he got more than ten minutes since Dec. 5. Head coach JJ Redick clearly doesn’t trust him, and Lakers announcer Stu Lantz pointed to the larger problem with Knecht after an early air ball.
The Lakers have to trade the 24-year-old before the deadline, while he has any shred of value. He is not the normal second-year player. Knecht should be entering his prime, but things haven’t been the same since the failed trade.
Lakers must trade Dalton Knecht before the deadline
Knecht was traded at last season’s deadline. He even arrived in Charlotte, but the Lakers nixed the deal after Mark Williams failed his physical in Los Angeles. It brought the rookie back to the franchise that just sent him packing, and Knecht still hasn’t recovered.
Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent were out with injuries against the Clippers. Luka suffered a leg injury in the first half and was unable to return after halftime. The Lakers had just 39 first-half points and desperately needed an offensive spark. Head coach JJ Redick turned to Knecht, but he scored just two points and only took three shots.
The Lakers thought they were getting an absolute bucket. Knecht averaged over 21 points per game in each of his final two college seasons and shot 39.7 percent from 3-point range during his lone season at Tennessee. LA wanted an older rookie that could quickly fill a role, but Knecht can’t do it.
He rates as a replacement-level player by VORP and struggles mightily on defense. If he is not scoring, Knecht is a negative on the floor. His 5.9 points per game this season are nowhere near enough.
A trade may be the best thing for all involved at this point. The 24-year-old is not suddenly earning Redick’s trust and becoming a key rotation piece. A change of scenery may boost his confidence and finally get him on track.
No team is giving up massive value for Knecht after his struggles, but the second-year wing could help the Lakers get the defensive-minded role player they desperately need. Getting a perimeter stopper would significantly improve their title odds in the ultimate win-win scenario.
The Los Angeles Lakers must explore the trade market for Dalton Knecht. If he sticks with the purple and gold, the 6’6 wing will go down as a draft bust.
It is time to move on for both parties. The Lakers can get a needed role player, and Knecht gets a fresh start on a rebuilding squad. The decreased pressure may be just what he needs to bring back his elite scoring chops. LA fans should be rooting for him to succeed if he gets shipped out of town. This could be the rare trade where everybody wins.