Dalton Knecht’s inconsistencies are significantly glaring, and the Los Angeles Lakers are stepping on a problematic situation about how they can improve his value for a possible trade at some point of the upcoming season.
Tackling Knecht’s inferior trade value, Lakers insider Jovan Buha shared negative reviews from league circles about the sophomore wing’s recent performances.
“I was talking to a scout last night at the Lakers - Mavericks preseason game, a scout for another team, and he was just talking about Dalton's struggles and how especially from a decision-processing standpoint, there's not been a lot of progress there, and that continues to be the area of his game where he's just not seeing the right thing to do on either side of the ball,” Buha said in his Buha’s Block podcast.
MORE: Why Lakers' Austin Reaves can only make $89 million on possible contract extension
“Of course, he's more evolved on the offensive side, but this person was expressing a lot of skepticism. And that's just one person's opinion, but I've said this before: Anytime I have an outside conversation about Dalton with someone outside of the Lakers, it tends to be relatively negative or pessimistic.”
Knecht was the prized 17th overall selection by the Lakers from last year’s NBA Draft. The Tennessee product amazed fans at the initial portion of the 2024-25 season with his several scoring outburst and shooting displays.
But he eventually spent most of his rookie outing on a zigzagging note. As such, his struggles persist, currently averaging 9.4 points but shooting an awful 30.4 percent from the field and 22.6 percent from three in five games this preseason.
With Luka Doncic entering his first full season in Los Angeles, the Lakers are undeniably on a win-now mode where trades may soon occur around the franchise to maximize their title window. But based on what he’s showing so far as a young asset, Knecht has little to no value for the Lakers in the league marketplace.
Moving forward, the Lakers are hoping that the 24-year-old would be able to redeem his offensive touch to help them win and perhaps be a critical trade piece for a desired reinforcement.
More NBA News:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admits huge motivation about facing his former Clippers team
- LeBron James’ biggest rival says Lakers star ‘lived up’ to hype as player, role model for NBA
- Erik Spoelstra gets honest about applying 'Heat Culture' while leading Team USA
- Mark Cuban no idea if Knicks cheated salary cap on Jalen Brunson FA signing, rips NBA's punishment
- NBA expert compelled by OKC rising star’s Sixth Man of the Year odds in 2025-26