Dalton Knecht’s Lakers future in question heading into camp

Dalton Knecht’s Lakers future is already under the microscope — and training camp hasn’t even tipped off.

Once viewed as a promising young scorer, Knecht is now a trade candidate before his second season even begins.

Knecht, 24, was nearly shipped to Charlotte midway through last season. And after a disastrous Summer League, it’s fair to wonder if a fresh start might be looming.

Knecht averaged just 10.3 points per game on a miserable 27.9 percent from the field and 23.8 percent from deep — a major drop for someone the Lakers once hoped could juice their second unit.

Coach JJ Redick suggested overwork might have played a role.

“The guy did too much after the season,” Redick said. “And I think in summer league, he was burnt out. He was coming in here at 5 AM, getting shots up, then doing two workouts with our summer league staff and in the weight room.”

It’s a striking turn for a player who looked like a rotation lock not long ago. If a deal does materialize, it could benefit both sides. But Knecht still has camp to change the narrative.

Meanwhile… Luka’s Not Here for a Rebuild

While Knecht’s role is uncertain, the direction of the franchise is crystal clear. And Luka Doncic is setting the tone.

Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves headline a roster looking to erase the sting of last year’s first-round exit. At 26, Doncic theoretically gives the Lakers a long timeline to build a contender. But as CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish reported, he told Rob Pelinka and Redick back in May that he’s not interested in waiting around.

Doncic wants to win now. And that urgency is already shaping roster decisions before camp even begins.