Offseason Crossroads: Knecht’s Spot in the Lakers’ Plans Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ 24-year-old sharpshooter drafted 17th overall in 2024, enters this offseason amid swirling doubts about his place in Los Angeles. After a rookie campaign featuring 9.1 PPG and a 37.6% three-point clip across 78 games, his future is far from settled ([SI][1], [Silver Screen and Roll][2]).
A Familiar Trade Whisper
Knecht has already been at the center of trade discussions. Last February, he was nearly shipped to Charlotte for Mark Williams—but the deal unraveled when Williams failed his physical, sending Knecht back and spotlighting his value as a trade asset ([Wikipedia][3]). This off-season, his name resurfaces in another trade rumor: Miami Heat reportedly eye Knecht (and Rui Hachimura) in their pursuit of Andrew Wiggins ([Heavy Sports][4]).
On-Court Struggles and Roster Competition
Knecht’s early-season surge—highlighted by a streak of 46% from deep in November—gave way to diminishing returns as defensive issues and new acquisitions limited his minutes ([Silver Screen and Roll][2]). He averaged only 26 minutes alongside LeBron and Luka, and was nearly invisible in the playoffs, accruing just four total minutes in the first-round loss ([New York Post][5]).
New additions like Deandre Ayton and potential trade targets such as Robert Williams and Andrew Wiggins further crowd Knecht’s left-wing rotation slot, intensifying the pressure ([Heavy Sports][4]).
The Lakers’ Dilemma
* **Position on the Rebuilding-Contending Spectrum**
Management faces a balancing act: retain a young, promising shooter or leverage Knecht (along with picks and expiring contracts) to address more urgent needs—particularly at center ([Lake Show Life][6]).
Knecht’s Rising Off-Court Profile**
Off the floor, Knecht is active—he’s El Pollo Loco’s first athlete ambassador and remained visible in the region over summer ([SI][7], [Silver Screen and Roll][2]). But the Lakers’ front office doesn’t base roster decisions on popularity, focusing instead on fit and performance.
What’s Next: Scenarios to Watch
1. **Lakers Retain and Develop**
* Knecht remains in the rotation as a high-volume 3-and-D wing.
* He’ll play Summer League, refine his defense, and compete for consistent minutes in training camp ([NBA Analysis Network][8]).
2. **Trade Value Spikes, Dealt in Package Deal**
* His name resurfaces in multi-player deals (e.g. Heat for Wiggins), giving L.A. leverage to address pressing roster gaps ([Heavy Sports][4]).
3. **Emerging Offseason Competitors**
* Recent Summer League performance—like Cole Swider’s strong showing—may push Knecht down in the pecking order if he doesn’t respond positively .
Final Take: A Pivotal Decision Looms
Dalton Knecht stands at a defining moment. While his shooting is real and his potential clear, questions about his on-court defense and whether he fits into a championship window with LeBron and Luka loom large. For the Lakers, the choice is stark: develop a young talent or swing big in trade talks to shore up positions of need.
What to Watch:
* Will L.A. prioritize depth at center or wing shooting?
* Does Knecht improve defensively and lock a rotation spot?
* Does a trade proposal emerge linking Knecht to a star like Andrew Wiggins?
Stay tuned—whether it’s a re-signing or a surprise trade, Dalton Knecht’s future will be a key barometer of the Lakers’ immediate ambitions.
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