NBA

The Lakers’ one-time breakout star now fighting to stay relevant

After a standout rookie start, Dalton Knecht has seen his minutes shrink and his future in Los Angeles grow uncertain.

Gary A. Vasquez

Update: Oct 17th, 2025 05:37 EDT

Dalton Knecht, selected 17th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in last season’s draft, has seen his star dim sharply in just one year. What began as a promising rookie campaign is now one marked by sharp declines in opportunity and optimism, he appears to have nearly zero trade market in the NBA today.

Dalton Knecht: From sleeper pick to early hype

The Lakers have long been drawn to under-the-radar players who exceed expectations. Think Mykhailiuk, Max Christie, Talen Horton-Tucker. But none turned heads quite like Austin Reaves, undrafted in 2021, yet now one of their more consistent contributors.

Dalton Knecht entered the league riding high. He spent several years in college (two at Northeastern Junior College, another two at Northern Colorado, then his final at Tennessee) before being picked in the first round. He came in with maturity and an established shooting touch: in college he averaged 21.7 points per game, shooting nearly 40% from deep.

His preseason with the Lakers only added fuel: a 35-point eruption against the Suns and an opening game of the regular season where he dropped 27 points on the road in New Orleans. Early signs pointed to a rookie who could hold his own.

dalton knecht downfall is a sad thing to see

when rui first went down last season he popped as a starter

dalton was brimming with confidence

seemed like he could do no wrong

it feels like dat player is completely gone

hope he bounces back for the sake of his career pic.twitter.com/gdIWprplIy
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) October 16, 2025

The slide begins

But momentum shifted. As the season progressed, playing time fell. His role shrunk as more veteran talent was added. JJ Redick, now in charge, started leaning less on Knecht.

By the close of the trade market, rumors circulated that Knecht was more of a trade piece than a core part of L.A.’s rotation. He saw averages hovering around 19.2 minutes per game, putting up roughly 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and .8 assists.

New faces crowd Lakers roster

The Lakers haven’t just sat back. They’ve added established contributors to make a push around LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

Marcus Smart, a three-time All-Defensive First Team guard and former Defensive Player of the Year, joined on a two-year, $11 million deal.
Jake LaRavia, a 23-year-old forward who can move well, shoot from outside, and defend multiple positions, came aboard on a two-year, $12 million contract.

These additions squeeze Knecht’s chances at meaningful run. With players like Smart, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, and LaRavia competing for overlapping roles, Knecht is finding fewer paths to shine.

Knecht’s rough preseason

The latest preseason games haven’t helped. Knecht’s shooting splits have been weak, with three-point numbers falling into the low 20s percent and overall field goal performance struggling. Expectations of growth now clash with signs of regression.

Despite this, the Lakers didn’t move him in any trades this summer. Sources suggest L.A. still believes Knecht has value. But public perception, especially from scouts present in Palm Desert, is more pessimistic than ever. One even called him a negative asset, meaning any trade involving him likely requires the Lakers to add favorable pieces.

What the future holds for Dalton Knecht

At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Knecht has the size, scoring instincts, and shot form that NBA teams covet. Yet in a franchise rapidly reshaping around Luka Dončić and LeBron James, opportunity is precious.

His rookie year stat line:

78 games
9.1 points a game
~46.1 percent overall field goal shooting
~37.6 percent from three-point range

Not bad for a rookie, but not yet compelling in a crowded Los Angeles lineup where defensive tenacity, veteran experience, and two-way impact carry major weight.

The coming weeks will be critical. Can Knecht refine his defense? Can he re-establish confidence in his shot? Will he find a rotation niche, or will he become a movable piece as the Lakers try to build a championship triplet around Dončić and LeBron?