Lakers Announce Dalton Knecht Move 5 Games Before NBA Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Apr 4, 2026 4:49 PM ET

Dalton Knecht has been away from the NBA for the past few days as his Los Angeles Lakers fell 139-96 to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. Now, the Lakers will turn their attention to Sunday's matchup, closing out a two-game road trip with a battle against Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks.

Knecht found a solid role with Los Angeles during his rookie season in 2024-25, averaging 9.1 points on 46.1% shooting and 2.8 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game. This season, however, the former Tennessee Volunteers star has seen his playing time decrease significantly, tallying 4.0 points on 44.6% shooting and 1.4 rebounds in just 10.3 minutes per game.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht (4) against the Phoenix Suns.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

As a result, Knecht has spent significant time this season with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. He was most recently assigned to South Bay on Wednesday and saw extended action in the G League playoffs, where the team has advanced to the Western Conference finals.

In the first round, South Bay defeated the San Diego Clippers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers, 122-119, with Knecht tallying eight points on 2-of-8 shooting, along with six rebounds and three assists. He showed significant improvement in the 112-97 conference semifinal win over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the affiliate of the Houston Rockets, recording 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 13 rebounds and two assists.

On Saturday, after seeing significant action in the G League playoffs, Los Angeles recalled Knecht, along with guard Kobe Bufkin, with just five games remaining before the NBA playoffs begin.

"The Los Angeles Lakers have recalled guards Kobe Bufkin and Dalton Knecht from the South Bay Lakers," Lakers reporter Ryan Ward wrote on X.