Dalton Knecht’s Trade Value Crashes Amid Los Angeles Lakers Roster Shakeup

Just one year removed from being selected 17th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, Dalton Knecht’s trade value has taken a significant hit, and it’s beginning to impact how the organization navigates its offseason roster plans.

According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, Knecht is no longer viewed around the league as a first-round-level asset. That feedback, gathered from multiple team executives in Las Vegas, underscores how quickly perception has shifted on the 24-year-old wing.

Knecht played in 78 games as a rookie, averaging 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 46.1% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc. But his role faded in the postseason, where he logged just two appearances and was largely an afterthought in the rotation. Since then, his stock has continued to slide, with Summer League further accelerating that decline.

In Las Vegas, Knecht averaged 10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across three games. While those numbers may seem respectable, he struggled with efficiency, especially from long range, connecting on just 1-of-17 from three-point territory. His performance against the Clippers, where he shot 3-of-15 from the field, left scouts and front offices questioning his upside.

Failed Trade and Increased Roster Pressure

This isn’t the first time Knecht has been in trade discussions. Back in February, the Lakers agreed to send him to the Charlotte Hornets in a package that included Cam Reddish and future draft picks in exchange for center Mark Williams. That deal was rescinded when Williams failed his physical, leaving Knecht in limbo.

“It was a crazy time,” Knecht said afterward. “It felt like a movie. … It was hard. I got drafted here, so L.A. means a lot.”

The emotional weight of that experience — followed by a disappointing offseason showing — has only complicated his trajectory. The Lakers’ recent moves have further narrowed Knecht’s path to playing time. Veteran guard Marcus Smart is reportedly signing a two-year, $11 million deal with the team, and forward Jake LaRavia was also added to the roster this summer.

As Los Angeles works to create cap space and consolidate roster spots, Knecht has been mentioned in trade talks, often packaged with Maxi Kleber or other secondary players. But his diminished market value makes it harder to extract a meaningful return.

Is a Change of Scenery Coming?

While Knecht did flash some promise — including a 25-point performance against the Spurs in the California Classic and a 15-point game against the Dallas Mavericks — those moments have been exceptions. League observers increasingly question whether he can become a reliable contributor for a team with playoff ambitions.

At just 24, Knecht still has time to develop, and his ability to shoot off movement and in transition remains intriguing. But with Los Angeles focused on win-now pieces and veterans, he may be the odd man out.

Unless he turns things around quickly — or finds a better developmental fit elsewhere — his future with the Lakers appears uncertain.