​The expectation circulating around the league is that Dalton Knecht, the former Tennessee Volunteers guard, will be traded by the Los Angeles Lakers at some point this offseason. Knecht is not viewed as part of the Lakers’ long-term plans, and at this juncture, Los Angeles appears to be prioritizing finding the right fit rather than simply offloading the guard to shed him. The idea is that the Lakers are not committed to Knecht for reasons of suitability or potential, but rather they are aiming to optimize their roster and financial flexibility for the upcoming season.
In recent days, a potential path has emerged involving the Atlanta Hawks. The Lakers have shown interest in unrestricted free agent wing Jonathan Kuminga, yet ESPN notes that Los Angeles has not yet presented him with a compelling enough offer to secure his commitment. A major constraint for the Lakers is their limited financial wiggle room, which complicates their ability to provide a strong, enticing package to Kuminga in free agency.
Because of this, a sign-and-trade scenario with the Hawks has been floated as a possibility. Knecht has been mentioned as a potential piece that could head to Atlanta in such a deal. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that the Hawks remain open to facilitating a move that would help Kuminga preserve his Bird rights and secure a contract he desires. However, Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh would need strong incentive to approve such a move. Team sources indicated that the Lakers could bolster the offer by including several of their contracts to create a more attractive package. Specifically, the Lakers could look to send out players such as Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, and Jaden Hardy, but would likely need to attach at least one of their remaining assets—either three additional second-round picks or a 2032 first-round pick swap—to make the deal appealing enough for Atlanta.
The Lakers still have maneuvering to do this offseason as they continue to rebuild around Luka Doncic, and Knecht appears to be one of the leverage points the franchise intends to use to execute a larger strategic move. The dynamic surrounding Knecht’s future remains a focal point as the team weighs how best to optimize its cap space, roster composition, and long-term trajectory.
This discussion was originally published by A to Z Sports. For readers seeking the full context, you can read the complete article about how the Lakers appear to be positioning Dalton Knecht for a potential move that could relocate him closer to Knoxville and align with their broader offseason strategy. The piece outlines how Knecht could become part of a broader plan that might involve sign-and-trade mechanics with the Hawks and underscores the Lakers’ intent to leverage him as a trade asset in pursuit of a bigger offseason upgrade.