​Reworded version: Dalton Knecht’s persistent trade-talk surrounding the Lakers has yielded a single likely result, originally reported by The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Knecht appeared to have the potential to develop into an NBA star for Los Angeles, yet much of his time in the league has been consumed by trade rumors. In fact, he was briefly part of a trade that fell apart because of a failed physical in the Mark Williams deal.
Can a player truly rebound from an agreed-upon trade that never materializes? Knecht hasn’t proven it yet. He possesses the toolkit that should translate well to the current NBA: a standout 3-point shooter on paper and a surprisingly athletic finisher at the rim. The Lakers, however, haven’t found a way to maximize his usage. Could he see more minutes in 2026-27 if Rui Hachimura hits free agency? Perhaps. But breaking through on the perimeter is tough for a team that already features Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
It seems every trade rumor mentions Knecht, and that can’t be easy for a young player. All he likely wants is to establish himself as a starting-caliber NBA player, but that hasn’t happened yet. If the pattern continues, the most plausible outcome is that Knecht will be traded—whether sooner or later.
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