Apr 4, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) reacts after a 3-point basket in the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Where Dalton Knecht Might Fit Into Lakers Rotation Next Season

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 12:30 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers tried trade Dalton Knecht last season in a move to get Mark Williams from the Hornets. That would have given them a center that they felt good about moving forward.

Instead, the trade was canceled because of concern due to the physical that they got back on Williams. They had to roll with Jaxson Hayes as their starting center.

It was clear that the Lakers didn't want Knecht. Even so, he returned to LA and tried to play the best that he could with the minutes that he was given.

Dalton Knecht could fall out of the Lakers' rotation if things don't go well

At the end the year, Knecht was on the fringes of the rotation anyway. He didn't play much in the playoffs, either. That doesn't bode well for his future.

According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, Knecht might end up being an eigth man at best for the Lakers next year.

Jovan Buha thinks Dalton Knecht is at best an eighth man for the Lakers in 2025-26:

“Basically, it comes down to the Lakers only have so many assets to trade, and Dalton Knecht I think at best next season is an eighth man and probably is an eighth, ninth man… and when thinking… pic.twitter.com/5SBkNP2ZHP
— Lakers Better (@LakersBetter) June 11, 2025

Knecht has shown flashes of being a really good player, but the Lakers must not trust him to be ready for things quite yet. That's disappointing, considering how good he was at the beginning of this season.

It's clear that the Lakers didn't see much of a long-term future with him since they already tried to ship him out of town. It wouldn't be surprising to see them try to do so again either this summer or next season before the deadline.

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The Lakers need more players who can play defense. Knecht is a solid defensive player, but he's far from a shutdown guy. With the Lakers being in win-now mode, they could look to move him for more of a defensive player.

Los Angeles needs to win a title in the next couple of seasons to validate the years that LeBron James has left in the NBA. That's why Knecht doesn't have much time to grow with this team.

Last year as a rookie, Knecht averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. He shot 46.1 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from three.

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This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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