To begin the Los Angeles Lakers' four-day break between games, the team announced that Dalton Knecht has been assigned to the South Bay Lakers of the G League, according to The Athletic's Dan Wolke.
Knecht, 24, has seen his number decrease in comparison to what he was getting in his rookie season. Through 20 games, the forward is averaging 6.4 points and 1.9 rebounds while shooting 47.1% from the field and 36.2% from three in 15.1 minutes per game.
It appears that first-year Lakers Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart have both passed him on the depth chart.
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Why did the Lakers assign Dalton Knecht to the G League?
Although it may seem that the Lakers have demoted Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles could be using this time for him to get more reps in.
Los Angeles doesn't have a game until Dec. 18, while they travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz. This four-day gap between games will give Knecht an extra chance to play on Dec. 16 as the South Bay Lakers take on the San Diego Clippers at home.
It will be an opportunity for Knecht to get more consistent playing time as well. In December, the 24-year-old has logged just 8.5 minutes per game in the four contests the Lakers have played.
Head coach JJ Redick has expressed the difficult time he's had with getting his players time on the court, resulting in both Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt losing minutes.
With the calf strain that will sideline Austin Reaves for at least another four days, Dalton Knecht could come back to the Lakers' NBA roster and get an opportunity for significant minutes on Thursday against the Jazz.
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