Dalton Knecht under pressure with declining Lakers form

Dalton Knecht’s path with the Los Angeles Lakers was expected to be straightforward. A first-round pick and one of the most polished scorers in his draft class, he entered the NBA with a reputation as a ready-made shooter who could stretch the floor.

After a rookie season that showed flashes of promise, the hope was that he would build on that momentum this summer. Instead, his stock has been slipping fast.

Since the collapse of trade talks that briefly put him on the market, Knecht’s struggles have become increasingly difficult to ignore. His Summer League performances were particularly concerning, recording just 10.3 points per game on 27.9 percent shooting overall, including a dismal 23.8 percent from three. 

He hit only 12 of 43 attempts from the field, with five makes from beyond the arc. To make matters worse, he committed nine turnovers against only eight assists across six outings in Las Vegas and the California Classic.

For a player drafted to provide shooting and poise, the sight of Knecht forcing shots, rushing plays and failing to find rhythm has raised eyebrows within the organization.

Typically, players of his pedigree use the Summer League’s low-pressure environment to sharpen their games, with former Lakers such as Josh Hart and Kyle Kuzma being recent examples. Instead, Knecht’s inconsistency has fueled questions about whether he can make the leap from intriguing rookie to reliable contributor, or if his time in the NBA could prove short-lived.

Still, scouts and executives may not be jumping the gun like fans are. Summer League is notoriously disjointed, often more about individual showcases than team cohesion. NBA evaluators suggest his real test will come in training camp and preseason, where a handful of strong outings could quickly reset the narrative.

The clock, however, is ticking. Knecht’s rookie year was respectable, with 9.1 points per game on 37.6 percent shooting from three across 78 appearances, but the competition for minutes has only intensified. 

The Lakers’ additions of defensive-minded veteran Marcus Smart and versatile wing Jake LaRavia leave less margin for error. If Knecht’s shooting doesn’t rebound soon, his value as a "floor-spacing specialist" will be questioned, particularly given his defensive limitations. 

His trade value has already slipped, shifting him from asset to potential liability in future deals. If his slump continues, a stint with the South Bay Lakers in the G League could be on the horizon. That might benefit his development, but it’s a sobering possibility for a 24-year-old selected 17th overall.

For Knecht, the mission is simple but urgent: rediscover his shooting stroke and prove he belongs. The Lakers still need his skill set, but in a league with little patience, another poor stretch could send his career drastically off course, to the point of no return.