Dalton Knecht on the Roster Bubble After Preseason Opener
Dalton Knecht's tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers appears to be nearing an end. In the team's preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings on Monday, Knecht did not see the floor until garbage time, a clear indication that he has fallen out of head coach JJ Redick's rotation. The Lakers won 127-103, but Knecht's lack of involvement spoke louder than the final score.
Knecht, a 25-year-old wing selected with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, finished with two rebounds and one assist in limited minutes. He missed his only shot attempt. According to multiple reports, the Lakers have been actively shopping Knecht and teammate Jarred Vanderbilt for well over a year, but have yet to find a trade partner. With the regular season approaching and roster cuts looming, Knecht's future in Los Angeles is increasingly uncertain.
Roster Crunch Forces Decision
The Lakers currently have 16 players on standard contracts and must trim the roster to 15 by October 21. While Vanderbilt's contract makes him difficult to move, Knecht is widely viewed as the most likely candidate to be waived or traded. His $4.2 million salary for the 2026-27 season is manageable, but his declining production and apparent lack of confidence have made him expendable.
Trade Rumors and Diminishing Returns
Los Angeles has reportedly tried to package Knecht and Vanderbilt in multiple trade scenarios over the past two seasons, including a failed attempt to acquire Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers also reportedly offered the pair to the Dallas Mavericks for PJ Washington, but no deal materialized. According to Lakers reporter Jovan Buha, the team has been shopping both players "well over a year" without success.
Vanderbilt's four-year, $48 million contract, which includes a $13.3 million player option for 2027-28, has made him nearly impossible to trade. Knecht, meanwhile, has seen his trade value plummet since a promising rookie campaign. After averaging 9.4 points per game in his first season, Knecht has struggled to find consistent minutes and has not developed into the reliable shooter the Lakers hoped he would become.
Body Language Raises Concerns
Former Lakers forward Robert Horry offered a blunt assessment of Knecht's preseason performance on his podcast, saying the young wing looked "clueless" and like a "deer in headlights." Horry also suggested that Vanderbilt's body language indicates he knows a trade is coming. Lakers analyst Jovan Buha echoed those concerns, noting that Knecht's "disposition, energy, and vibe" were poor through the first three quarters of Tuesday's game against the Warriors.
Knecht's struggles extend beyond the box score. In 22 minutes against Golden State, he scored 11 points but committed three turnovers and often appeared disengaged. His droopy body language and lack of aggression have raised questions about his mental makeup and ability to handle adversity.
What's Next for Knecht and the Lakers
The Lakers' preseason continues with games against the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks, offering Knecht one last chance to prove he belongs in the rotation. However, Redick's rotations have made it clear that Knecht is behind players like Bronny James and Jaden Hardy on the depth chart. If the Lakers cannot find a trade, Knecht could be waived before the October 21 deadline.
For Knecht, a fresh start might be necessary. The infamous botched trade for Mark Williams in 2025 reportedly left him emotionally scarred, and he has not looked the same since. While a change of scenery could rejuvenate his career, his trade value is at an all-time low. The Lakers may have to attach a second-round pick or take on a unwanted contract to move him.
Broader Implications
The situation reflects a larger trend in the NBA, where teams are increasingly willing to move on from young players who fail to develop quickly. The Lakers, in win-now mode with LeBron James entering the final years of his career, cannot afford to wait on projects. Knecht's decline also highlights the pressure faced by late first-round picks, who often receive limited opportunities to prove themselves.
As the October 21 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' front office. Whether through a trade or a waiver, Dalton Knecht's time in Los Angeles appears to be coming to an end. The only question is how soon.
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