The signs are all pointing to Dalton Knecht no longer being a Los Angeles Laker. For the Lakers, Knecht increasingly looks less like a long-term piece and more like a short-term asset — one that could be on the move sooner rather than later.
According to Evan Sidery, the Lakers are once again expected to shop Knecht during trade season in hopes of landing a rotational upgrade. They’ve already gone down this road once, having included him in a deal for Mark Williams before the trade was voided. Given that Knecht hasn’t been able to make a consistent impact on the floor, it’s not surprising the Lakers are willing to explore that option again.
The Lakers will again shop Dalton Knecht during trade season for a rotational upgrade.
Knecht was traded to the Hornets for Mark Williams last season before LA’s medical team voided the entire transaction.
Knecht has still been unable to find a spot within JJ Redick’s rotation. pic.twitter.com/DbdCWrowrP
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 14, 2025
Win-Now Pressure
This is a win-now roster, built around Luka Doncic and — even more urgently — LeBron James, who could realistically retire as soon as this season. With that kind of pressure on the timeline, every rotation spot has to produce right away.
To be clear, Knecht has shown flashes of brilliance. He’s a very exciting player to watch when his shot is falling. The Lakers even showed some faith in him by exercising their team option. But his defensive struggles have kept him from earning consistent minutes. His older age for a rookie also limits the upside argument that usually buys patience.
Complicating matters further is Jake LaRavia. He is younger, more versatile, and already a better all-around contributor. When another player checks more boxes defensively and situationally, the choice becomes clear.
The G League Assignment
But now Knecht has been sent to the G League, which sends a clear message about how the Lakers view him.
The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned guard Dalton Knecht and forward Adou Thiero to the South Bay Lakers. I believe its Knecht’s first assignment this year
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 15, 2025
G League assignments are often seen as developmental, and it is not uncommon for second-year players to receive them. But context matters. This Lakers roster is thin, and yet Knecht still couldn’t secure a role. Sending him to South Bay isn’t just about reps — it’s a sign that the coaching staff doesn’t believe he can help right now. On a team chasing wins, that’s telling.
What Is His Trade Value?
Dalton Knecht is fun to watch, but with limited minutes, defensive concerns, and older age, his value may not be high enough to fetch a real upgrade in the rotation. Still, trade season has a way of bending logic. One desperate team can change the situation. Strange things happen fast in this league.
