The Los Angeles Lakers tried, and failed, to trade Dalton Knecht to the Charlotte Hornets.
The Los Angeles Lakers had one of the busier and more dramatic trade deadlines of any team around the league this season. Less than a week before the formal deadline, they traded Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a single first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic and a cast of bench players.
Later that week, they traded rookie Dalton Knecht and more draft capital to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams, but the big man failed his physical and the trade was rescinded.
Now, Knecht is back in Hollywood but feels betrayed by the Lakers, who made it very clear that he is not a key part of their long-term plans.
Knecht has had a promising rookie season so far. The college sharpshooter has continued his success, averaging 9.4 points per game for the Purple and Gold while making a solid 35.8% of his 3-point shots, which is slightly above league average.
Weeks into his NBA career, fans expected him to be a centerpiece of the Lakers long after LeBron James retires, but after the Lakers attempted to trade him, it’s very clear that he was expendable.
He has not played since Feb. 4 and is expected to remain out for “personal reasons” as he grapples with the business realities of the league.
“Going through something like this can really derail his career,” outlined Draymond Green on his podcast.
“It could do that because it could kill his confidence. When you lose confidence in this league, you don’t get it back. So, this could really derail Dalton Knecht’s career. Mark Williams is one thing, but Dalton Knecht? They were just like, ‘Go over there, bro.’”
There were reports that the Mavericks wanted Knecht in the trade for Doncic but the Lakers took him off the table, although the fact that he was involved at all might not help his relationship with his current team.
“Apparently, he was going to be in the AD trade so they were kind of just off him anyway from what it sounded like, and now he’s gotta go back there?” Green continued.
With James and Doncic both in the lineup, Knecht–an off-ball shooter–will have plenty of chances to improve and showcase his skillset. The Lakers have made it clear that they don’t see him as a long-term piece, so Knecht could (and some say should) be open about his desire to play for a team that values him.
He will have ample opportunity to prove just how valuable he can be.
“He’s going to be wide open with Luka over there,” added Baron Davis. “Make a name for yourself, take advantage of the opportunity, if you’re going to hoop, hoop, but now you know you’re a disposable piece for the Lakers and you have to look out for yourself.”
Still on his rookie contract, Knecht doesn’t have the leverage to get traded to a team of his choice and the Lakers can retain him in restricted free agency in four years, so there is plenty of time for both sides to work on repairing the recently-damaged relationship.
