NBA executives are straight up calling it: Dalton Knecht is expected to be the ‘odd man out’ for the Los Angeles Lakers. This isn’t just whispers, folks, this is the word from multiple rival executives who are watching the Lakers navigate their roster decisions. It’s a wild twist for a guy who was just a first-round pick not too long ago.
What Happened To The Promising Rookie?
Remember when Dalton Knecht, the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, showed some real promise? He flashed that 3-point specialist ability during his rookie season (2024-25), even averaging 9.1 points in 19.2 minutes a game, hitting 46.1% from the field and a respectable 37.6% from beyond the arc. He even had a red-hot November that year, dropping 13.6 points per game and shooting 46% from downtown. But then his playing time started to dry up mid-season.
Last season (2025-26) was even tougher. His production plummeted to just 4.2 points in 10.2 minutes per game, and his 3-point percentage dipped to a tough 34.2%. What gives? Some around the league speculate that being included in the rescinded Mark Williams trade back in February 2025 just wrecked his confidence, and he hasn’t been able to consistently hit shots since. Others point to a lack of defensive awareness and overall basketball IQ as the reason he’s been stuck on the bench. It’s a shame, because the guy was supposed to be able to light it up from outside, score at all three levels, move well off the ball, and get out in transition as both a finisher and even a ball-handler.
Lakers Roster Crunch: A Numbers Game
The biggest problem for Knecht right now? The Lakers suddenly have a stacked wing position. We’re talking about Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia, and possibly Adou Thiero, Jarred Vanderbilt, and rookie Cameron Carr all fighting for minutes and maybe a starting spot. That’s a ton of functional depth that the Lakers haven’t had in years.
Here’s the kicker: The Lakers currently have 16 players signed to standard contracts. League rules say teams must get down to 15 by the start of the season. So, unless Los Angeles pulls off some kind of “two-for-one” consolidation trade or finds a partner to simply trade one player, someone’s getting cut. And according to Khobi Price of the California Post, people all over the league expect that “one man” to be Knecht. Multiple rival executives are echoing that sentiment. It’s a numbers game, and it looks like Knecht is losing.
It’s a tough spot for the 25-year-old. His NBA career could absolutely be salvaged if he gets enough playing time somewhere to prove what he can do. But with the Lakers, it just doesn’t look like that opportunity is coming this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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