From Rising Star to Trade Bait: Dalton Knecht’s Shocking Fall in Lakers’ Roster Shakeup
Dalton Knecht’s once-promising trajectory with the Los Angeles Lakers has taken a sharp downturn, as his trade value around the league has significantly dropped. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, multiple NBA executives no longer view Knecht as a first-round-caliber asset — a stark contrast to the expectations that followed his arrival in L.A. just a year ago.
As a rookie, Knecht showed flashes of potential. He played in 78 regular-season games, averaging 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, while shooting a respectable 46.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range. However, those numbers didn’t translate into postseason trust. Knecht appeared in only two playoff games, a clear sign that head coach and front office decision-makers saw limited utility in high-pressure moments.
His situation worsened in the 2025 Summer League, where he struggled to assert himself against younger, hungrier competition. Compounding matters was a recently rescinded trade involving Knecht and Maxi Kleber. The deal, reportedly nearing completion, fell through when another player involved, likely Mikey Williams, failed his physical. The failed transaction left Knecht in limbo and emotionally rattled.
“It was a crazy time,” Knecht admitted. “It felt like a movie. … It was hard. I got drafted here, so L.A. means a lot.”
Now, with the Lakers aggressively restructuring their roster to maximize cap flexibility and pursue veteran contributors, Knecht has become a frequent name in trade talks. He’s often included in packages with secondary players like Kleber — but his declining market value makes extracting meaningful assets in return increasingly difficult.
Still just 24, Knecht has time to reclaim his form. His ability to shoot off movement and run in transition gives him theoretical value in the right system. But unless he turns his narrative around quickly or finds a team willing to invest in his development, his future in Los Angeles remains very much in doubt.
