Dalton Knecht working to maximize second chance with Lakers

However, as the season progressed, inconsistency set in. Knecht’s shooting percentages dipped, defensive struggles became more apparent and his role in the rotation became uncertain. 

Then came the trade deadline drama. The Lakers agreed to send him to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams, a move aimed at strengthening their frontcourt. But in a dramatic twist, the trade was later rescinded after Williams failed his physical, keeping the rookie in Los Angeles.  

Rather than immediately capitalizing on his second chance, Knecht struggled through late February. His playing time fluctuated, and multiple scoreless outings pushed him further to the fringes of the rotation. Meanwhile, the Lakers' acquisition of Luka Doncic reshaped the backcourt and further complicated Knecht’s path to consistent minutes.  

But after a scoreless outing against Minnesota on Feb. 27, the 6-foot-6 guard responded. Over the next five games, he has averaged 12 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting a blistering 48.1 percent from deep and 59 percent overall. 

His resurgence was highlighted by a 19-point performance in a Mar. 2 win over the Clippers, where he shot 7-of-10 and added four rebounds and two steals.  

With Austin Reaves struggling and then sidelined by injury, Knecht’s role has become increasingly important. In that stretch, he emerged as the Lakers' third-leading scorer behind Doncic (31.2) and LeBron James (26.4).  

As the regular season winds down and with James now expected to miss multiple weeks due to injury, Knecht’s contributions could be pivotal. Having navigated the turbulence of his rookie campaign, he now has the opportunity to cement himself as a key piece in the Lakers' playoff push, and their future.