What Happened to Dalton Knecht?

Writer Mark Deeks examines how Dalton Knecht fell out of the Los Angeles Lakers' rotation, leading to his eventual outright waiver less than two years after being drafted. Despite a strong rookie campaign that featured a 37-point game against the Utah Jazz, Knecht's playing time declined significantly during the 2025-26 season, during which he averaged just 4.2 points per contest.

Deeks points to defensive limitations, shooting slumps, and a rescinded February 2025 trade to the Charlotte Hornets as key factors behind Knecht's struggles. Three days after being waived by the Lakers, Knecht signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks, where Deeks argues the 25-year-old guard must quickly adapt his game to secure a lasting NBA role.