Dalton Knecht has been a puzzle the Los Angeles Lakers have yet to solve. He was initially viewed as the steal of the draft. Now he’s no longer in the rotation, while his trade value has plummeted. But now it seems the Lakers have a chance to move on, as the Indiana Pacers appear willing to take a chance on the former 17th overall pick.
According to Dustin Dopirak of IndyStar, the Pacers are a potential suitor for Dalton Knecht and could include Ben Sheppard and draft capital to get him.
“[Knecht] is on a cheap contract, he has a club option for 2027-28, and he might benefit from playing in the Pacers’ wide open system. On the flip side, the Lakers might be able to use Ben Sheppard’s defense off the bench.”
The Lakers have already shown a willingness to include Knecht in trade discussions before, and his stock has only declined since then. This may be an offer that they can’t pass up.
Ben Sheppard May Be the Better Fit
Dalton Knecht has the higher offensive upside, but Sheppard offers skills that often matter more for the Lakers’ current roster. LA has a clear weakness on the defensive end, so they need players who can help in that area.
Right now, Sheppard better meets that need better than Knecht. He’s known as a steady defender on the perimeter, moves well without the ball, and knows how to play within a set offense. These qualities matter even more in the playoffs, when every mistake stands out, and each possession counts.
Last season, the Lakers were looking for reliable defenders who could handle tough moments. Sheppard might not score as much as Knecht, but his steady defense makes it easier for him to help a winning team.
The Age Conversation
Many people think Knecht is still a long-term project with lots of time to develop. While he can still improve, he actually came into the NBA as one of the older players in his draft class.
This matters when you compare him to Sheppard. Even though Sheppard is already a solid rotation player, he’s actually younger than Knecht. So the Lakers wouldn’t be giving up youth—they’d be getting a younger player whose skills might fit the team better right now.
For a team hoping to win now with LeBron and also build around Luka, finding the right fit is just as important as potential. In this case, the younger player might actually help the Lakers sooner.
Selling Low?
Fans often worry when they hear a team might be “selling low” on a player. That’s understandable, since teams usually don’t want to give up on young talent before they’ve had a chance to develop.
But context is important. The Lakers wouldn’t just be trading Knecht for future picks or to save money. They’d be getting a young player who fills a need, plus extra draft picks. That’s very different from just letting go of a player whose value has dropped.
Good teams know that fit matters as much as talent. Sometimes, the right move is to recognize that a player’s skills or timeline don’t align with where the team is headed. Waiting for a player’s value to go back up isn’t always best, especially if another team is still offering something solid.
An Easy Decision for Los Angeles
The Lakers want to compete for a championship, so every roster spot needs to help them win. Knecht still has some interesting offensive skills, but after last season, it’s not clear how he fits into a regular role in Los Angeles.
On the other hand, Sheppard brings exactly what the Lakers need. His defense, youth, and ability to play with stars make him a smart pick-up, and the extra draft picks make the deal even better.
When a player is out of the rotation, losing trade value, older than people think, and another team is offering a good young player plus draft picks, it’s hard to find a reason to wait. If this deal is really on the table, the Lakers should act quickly.
