The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into a pivotal offseason, especially after LeBron James opted into the final year of his contract.
Despite this commitment, James and his agent, Rich Paul, have made it clear they want to maximize whatever time he has left—potentially opening the door for bold moves, including a trade, though that currently appears unlikely.
At this point, James is expected to remain with the Lakers as they explore options in free agency. One name to keep an eye on in trade discussions is forward Dalton Knecht.
Knecht was originally traded to the Charlotte Hornets at the deadline, but the deal was rescinded after Hornets center Mark Williams failed his physical, resulting in Knecht's return to Los Angeles.
While the Lakers remain intrigued by Knecht’s offensive upside, he could be among their most valuable trade assets if they decide to pursue a significant roster upgrade.
In a recent interview during a fan meet-and-greet in Los Angeles, Knecht participated in a rapid-fire Q&A with “Lakers All Day Everyday” and shared a clear message about what it meant to spend his rookie season alongside LeBron James—including some of the key advice James gave him throughout the year.
"Yeah, I’ve learned a lot," Knecht said. "LeBron told me to always stay consistent, stay true to who I am, and keep working. He knows I’m big on being in the gym, so he always reminded me to stick to my foundation and keep doing what I love."
The Lakers selected Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after a standout final collegiate season at Tennessee. While he played a meaningful role in the regular season rotation, Knecht saw limited action during L.A.'s first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves due to concerns about his defense.
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) and Dalton Knecht (4).
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) and Dalton Knecht (4).
Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Still, he turned in a solid rookie campaign, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.3 steals per game while shooting 37.6% from beyond the arc. He also delivered several breakout performances, including a 37-point outburst against the Utah Jazz on Nov 19.