Dalton Knecht, JJ Redick, Lakers
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Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht talks with head coach JJ Redick.
When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 overall pick in 2024, many felt the franchise had found an NBA Draft steal. Knecht lived up to the hype with a solid Summer League outing and an NBA rookie season that saw him make an impressive 1.6 threes per game at 38% shooting.
Yet, Knecht hasn’t taken the Year 2 leap that many had hoped, with the Tennessee alum struggling to find his touch in this year’s Summer League, following a disappointing end to his NBA rookie campaign. As such, there is increasing chatter of the Lakers parting ways with the 24-year-old shooter to fill a more immediate roster requirement.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus has urged the Lakers to package Knecht along with Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber to land Andrew Wiggins, the former NBA champion.
Pincus suggested the move while citing a report from NBA insider Marc Stein, who claimed the Lakers were targeting Wiggins to shore up their perimeter defense.
Time to Move on From Knecht?
“Knecht may not have a key rotation role with the team this season, especially after the free-agent signing of Jake LaRavia and draft acquisition of Adou Thiero,” wrote Pincus.
The insider then implored the Lakers to target Jaime Jaquez Jr. as part of the Wiggins trade, explaining why the Heat wing would be an upgrade over Knecht.
“Los Angeles missed out on Jaquez (No. 18) in the 2023 draft to select Jalen Hood-Schifino (No. 17). Jaquez was one of the top rookies that year, while Hood-Schifino is not currently in the league.
“Jaquez struggled as a sophomore in Miami, and the Lakers get the chance to see if the UCLA product can revitalize his game alongside stars like James and Doncic.”
Lakers Trade Proposal for Wiggins
Pincus laid out a three-team trade, also involving the Brooklyn Nets, that he feels will work perfectly for the Lakers and Heat. While the Lakers will get their desired man, Wiggins, the Heat will get the opportunity to clear their books for the 2026 offseason.
Lakers would receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Drew Timme
Heat would receive: Rui Hachimura,Dalton Knecht
**Nets would receive:**Maxi Kleber,2026 second-round pick, cash
“Using Stein’s logic that the Lakers are willing to take on a longer salary, Wiggins only has one year left after this coming season,” wrote Pincus, highlighting that Wiggins, the former NBA champion, has a player option for the 2026-27 season.
“If he fits well, he could opt out and re-sign on a lower but longer annual deal. Or Los Angeles could use his expiring contract in a future deal. From a basketball perspective, the 30-year-old would step in as the team’s best perimeter defender. At 6’7″, he’d fill the role left by the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith.”
As for the Heat, Pincus believes Knecht would be a better fit than Jaquez Jr. as Erik Spoelstra’s team could use a long-range sniper after their shooting woes last season.
“Knecht is also a shooting upgrade over Jaquez,” Pincus explained. “Neither was outstanding last year, but the former has a longer runway on his contract, going into his second season.”
Knecht averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds as a rookie, but did not make any of the All-Rookie Teams. He was, at one point, viewed as a Rookie of the Year candidate.