Dalton Knecht Faces Uncertain Future Amid Lakers' Roster Crunch
The second-year wing's playing time and mentions have decreased, raising questions about his role as the Lakers trim their roster.
Dalton Knecht, the Los Angeles Lakers' third-year wing selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, is reportedly fighting for a rotation spot as the team faces a significant roster crunch. With the regular season approaching, Knecht's situation appears precarious.
During his rookie season in 2024-25, Knecht was an early rotation player and even stepped into the starting lineup in mid-November due to injuries. He averaged 18.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in nine starts at the end of November 2024, showcasing a strong performance stretch. Despite a shooting slump in December and January, he maintained consistent playing time. However, his role shifted after he was included in a trade for Mark Williams that was later rescinded.
In his second season, 2025-26, Knecht's playing time significantly decreased, logging only 553 minutes across 54 games compared to 1,494 minutes in 78 games as a rookie.
Despite an influx of new players and an increase in available minutes due to roster reconstruction, Knecht has not been a focal point in discussions by head coach JJ Redick or president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka. Other players, including free agent additions and second-year players, have received more attention.
Multiple rival executives anticipate Knecht being the player left out as the Lakers reduce their roster from 16 players on standard NBA deals to the league maximum of 15. While Redick acknowledged Knecht's dedication during training camp, stating, "He's been a pro. He's been in the gym. Like he has since Day 1, he has worked his butt off all offseason. And he's had a good three days of practice," the lack of mention in broader team discussions has been notable.
Knecht himself commented on the situation, saying, "It's a whole new opportunity for all of us. Like [coach] JJ [Redick] said, there's a lot of minutes open." However, the team still has time to finalize its roster decisions, with Pelinka noting that no move is required until the regular season begins. Remaining practices and potential consolidation trades will influence the final roster.
