Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Dalton Knecht’s LA Lakers career suffers another blow in latest Summer League game, undrafted free agent takes advantage

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By James Shearman | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 11:40 AM ET

Dalton Knecht should be full of confidence, gearing up for an important second season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers drafted the 24-year-old with the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he had an impressive rookie campaign.

He averaged nine points and three rebounds on 47 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent from three across 78 regular-season games. Yet, despite those statistics, the feeling around Knecht is not positive at all.

That’s because Knecht was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in a deal for Mark Williams at the February deadline, which ultimately fell through, and he has not been the same since.

The forward has now suffered another blow in the Lakers’ latest Summer League game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Cole Swider shows Dalton Knecht up in Summer League game

The Lakers lost 67-58 to the Clippers in a remarkably low-scoring game in Las Vegas on Monday, July 15.

Only two players in purple and gold reached double figures in points, and Knecht was neither of them.

He put up eight points and seven rebounds in 28 minutes, making just three of his 15 shots and one of eight from beyond the arc.

Against lesser opposition, Knecht should be dominating and scoring 20 points, not finding it more difficult than he did last season.

And perhaps the biggest indictment of Knecht’s poor performance is that frontcourt partner Cole Swider balled out against the Clippers.

The power forward scored 16 points, including four three-pointers, as he continues to stake his claim to be part of JJ Redick’s rotation next season.

Swider also scored 21 against the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans in the Lakers’ two previous games, so he’s certainly in better form than Knecht right now.

Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Dalton Knecht needs to be traded away from LA Lakers

The best move for Knecht and the Lakers is probably to trade him to another team this offseason.

Knecht needs a fresh challenge. It’s one thing for your team to give up on you, and another altogether to then return to play for them.

It seems highly unlikely that he will ever fulfill his excellent potential at the Staples Center with the cloud of trade talks constantly hanging over him.

As for the Lakers, they should look to trade Knecht while he still holds some value. The longer he underperforms, the less other teams will be willing to give up for him.

Now they have addressed the center position with the signing of Deendre Ayton, perhaps an experienced 3-and-D wing should be next on the agenda.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: