The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly talking trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, trying to send former first-round pick Dalton Knecht plus some second-round draft capital to Milwaukee for big man Jericho Sims. But get this: insider Jake Fischer already heard “pessimism” that a deal will actually go through.
Roster Crunch and a Looming Deadline
This isn’t just some casual trade discussion, either. Monday’s the deadline for every team in the league to trim their roster down to 15 players. Right now, the Lakers are sitting on 16 standard contracts. If they can’t get a trade done for Knecht, the grim reality is they might just have to waive the guy. That’s a huge move for a player taken so high just a couple of years ago.
From Promising Rookie to Roster Bubble
Remember when the Lakers snagged Knecht with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft? He showed some serious flashes as a rookie, putting up 9.1 points and 2.8 boards in 19.2 minutes per game. He was shooting 46.1 percent from the field and a decent 37.6 percent from three-point range. But man, things took a turn in his 2025-26 campaign. His minutes dropped, his numbers cratered to just 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game, and he fell completely out of the Lakers’ rotation. The shooting percentages also dipped, hitting 45.5 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from deep. The big problem? His defense. That brutal minus-8.5 net rating was the worst mark among all Lakers players who logged at least 30 games last season. Adding Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, and Matisse Thybulle to their wing depth this offseason just stacked the deck even more. It really feels like Knecht’s days in purple and gold are numbered.
With Monday’s deadline staring them down, the Lakers have a tough call to make. Can they find a trade partner for Knecht, or will they be forced to simply let go of a former lottery pick? Either way, this roster situation is coming to a head, and fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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