Dalton Knecht, a former Lakers forward, just inked a two-way deal with the New York Knicks, and to make it happen, they waved goodbye to Kevin McCullar Jr. Shams Charania from ESPN dropped the news this Friday morning, reporting the Knicks had signed the former Tennessee Volunteer and Los Angeles Lakers guard. This isn’t just a minor roster tweak either. Fans have been buzzing with speculation about potential moves, especially with Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks’ failed extension attempt now public, Miles McBride struggling in a contract year, and both Josh Hart and Tyler Kolek still without extensions.
The Knicks’ Roster Shuffle Just Got Real
This move shows the Knicks are ready to shake things up. Waiving a player to bring in a third-year wing like Knecht on a two-way contract isn’t something you do without serious thought. And get this, the Knicks weren’t the only ones eyeing Knecht. Rumors on Thursday night had both the Timberwolves and Raptors looking to snatch him up. The guy is still young, only 25 years old, and brings that much-needed combination of size and an above-average shot. In his final year of college, he was an absolute bucket getter, averaging 21.7 points per game on 45.8 percent shooting from the field and a blistering 39.7 percent from beyond the arc. Finding that kind of shooting potential on the waiver wire doesn’t happen every day, does it?
From Fan Favorite to Waiver Wire Pick Up
Knecht’s journey to New York has been a wild ride. He was a 17th overall pick, and in his rookie season with the Lakers, he showed some serious flashes. He averaged 9.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from three. For a while, he looked like he could be a solid rotation piece for a Lakers team still trying to contend with LeBron James at the helm. He even became a fan favorite after exploding for 37 points in an NBA Cup game. Talk about making a statement!
But then things got complicated. Midway through that rookie year, he was part of a trade to the Hornets for center Mark Williams. That deal got rescinded when Williams failed his physical, forcing Knecht back to the Lakers. Despite that chaos, he actually finished his rookie season strong, averaging 8.5 points and hitting 40.8 percent from three. However, his second season, the 2025-26 campaign, saw a definite turn for the worse. His minutes plummeted from 19.2 per game across 78 appearances to just 10.2 per game in 54 games. Like many young players, he struggled with the decreased and inconsistent playing time, falling into a tough cycle of worse play leading to even fewer minutes. There are clear reasons why he saw his minutes dwindle and eventually got waived, but the talent is undeniably there.
So, what does this all mean for the Knicks? They’re clearly looking for some fresh energy and scoring punch. Can Knecht recapture that magic he showed in college and in spurts with the Lakers? Bringing in a shooter with his size and potential, even on a two-way deal, is a smart play. Fans will be eager to see if this third-year man can overcome his recent struggles and become a vital impact player for New York. It’s a gamble, sure, but one that could pay off big.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Posting and Toasting.
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