The Los Angeles Lakers have to move from Dalton Knecht after his disastrous performance to open the G League playoffs. The former first-round draft pick should dominate in the development league. Instead, he had eight points on eight field attempts, couldn’t hit a 3-pointer, and had more turnovers than assists. Knecht hasn’t cracked the Lakers' rotation in months, and things just keep getting worse.
Los Angeles has lost faith in Knecht. The Lakers have won 16 of 18 with Knecht getting 21 total minutes during that scorching stretch. All of his run came in garbage time. The 24-year-old isn’t your average young player. He should be in the rotation playing meaningful minutes, but he can’t.
Knecht was an offense-first player coming out of college. He must get buckets and spacing the floor to be effective in the NBA, but the 6’6 wing’s jumper has abandoned him. Knecht struggled in summer league and has made just 31 of 102 3-point attempts in the NBA this season. The Lakers were right to rescind the now-infamous trade, but it ruined their chances of selling high on DK.
It is time for the Lakers to move on from Dalton Knecht
The South Bay Lakers opened the G League playoffs with a win over the San Diego Clippers. It was a crucial win-or-go-home contest. The Lakers had Knecht coming off the bench behind RJ Davis and Chris Manon. He only played 21 minutes, where the former first-round pick finished with eight points, six rebounds, three assists, and four turnovers. The 6’6 wing made two of his eight field goals and missed all four from long range. It was a nightmare night for Knecht, but the G League Lakers luckily advanced.
It is not just one bad game. Knecht has produced a negative-0.3 value over replacement player (VORP) this season. The Lakers have a negative-6.9 net rating with him on the floor, and they are 12.5 points per 100 possessions better when he’s on the bench.
Knecht is only in his second NBA season, but he is older than Cade Cunningham and Jalen Johnson. Both of those players are already on their second NBA contracts. Knecht should be entering his prime, but can’t earn a meaningful minute on the floor.
He has $4.2 million guaranteed for the 2026-27 season and a team option for the following year. The Lakers have cap space this summer and plan to build their roster around Luka Doncic. Knecht will never fit next to number 77 and Austin Reaves. The two stars need shooters and defenders around them. Knecht offers neither, and it is time for the Lakers to call this a failed experiment and move on.
Lakers fans can’t be shocked. Rob Pelinka’s track record in the draft is problematic at best. Knecht is the latest bust. LA doesn’t want dead money on their books, so expect to see the purple and gold throw him in an offseason trade to clear him off the roster.
The Los Angeles Lakers have to move on from Dalton Knecht. His disastrous performance in the G League playoff opener was the final straw. He can’t defend, make shots, or create for others. Knecht may blossom in a new home, but it isn’t happening in LA. The Lakers must act accordingly, or they will have the 6’6 wing clogging up their books again next season.