Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Dalton Knecht is a huge get for the Hornets

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Feb 6, 2025 2:58 PM ET

Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball are the clear stars on the Charlotte Hornets roster. Both have All-Star upside and will continue to improve over the next five years. However, finding young and talented players to help create a scalable core is far from easy.

Fortunately for the Hornets, a high-upside youngster fell in their lap on Thursday. Charlotte shipped Mark Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return, impressive rookie Dalton Knecht headlined the players heading to North Carolina.

Just In: The Los Angeles Lakers are trading Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/QGUwETssGd
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025

Knecht gives the Hornets a genuine sharpshooter with upside as a multi-level scorer. The fact he was earning minutes within JJ Redick's rotation proves that he's an NBA-ready talent. He's averaging 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds over 48 games, shooting 35.8% from three-point lane.

Having a floor-spacing wing is essential in the NBA, especially when you have a slashing wing and ball-handling wizard as a point guard. Since taking the head coaching gig, head coach Charles Lee has embraced a run-and-gun approach. He should feel confident about his ability to improve Knecht.

The beauty of joining the Hornets is that Knecht can play through his mistakes. He's joining a franchise trying to change its reputation and has hired one of the best young coaches in Lee.

Trading Williams was a bold move for Charlotte. His consistent injury issues and Knecht's desirable skillset likely made the move more palatable.

The Hornets have young players around whom to build their franchise. Knecht is another piece of a puzzle. Considering Charlotte wasn't seen as a trade deadline player, the Hornets are coming away with a brighter future.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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