Dalton Knecht
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht and head coach JJ Redick during a game against the Clippers in February 2025
Rob Pelinka once famously likened the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2017 signing of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to “mana from heaven,” a move that helped stabilize the roster and ultimately paved the way for a championship core.
Nearly eight years later, the Lakers may be staring at another opportunity to convert an uncertain asset into a needed piece — this time with Dalton Knecht emerging as trade capital in discussions for Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Lakers and Cavaliers have held ongoing talks centered around Hunter, with Knecht generating internal interest in Cleveland as a buy-low option.
“There are some within the Cavs organization who like the idea of adding Dalton Knecht in a buy-low spot to get off Hunter’s contract,” Siegel wrote Thursday on X. “Discussions have been ongoing.”
The development marks a notable shift for Knecht, who was widely viewed as having “little to no” trade value earlier this season.
Lakers’ Search for 3-and-D Wing Intensifies
The Lakers have spent months scouring the market for a reliable 3-and-D wing to stabilize their perimeter defense — a pursuit that has yielded few viable paths.
Hunter, a former No. 4 overall pick, has remained one of Los Angeles’ most consistent targets due to his size, defensive versatility and prior familiarity with the franchise. The Lakers selected Hunter in the 2019 NBA Draft before quickly moving him to New Orleans as part of the blockbuster trade that landed Anthony Davis.
If a deal materializes, Hunter’s return would complete a rare full-circle moment for the organization.
Dalton Knecht’s Role Fades in Los Angeles
Knecht’s rise as potential trade bait follows a sharp decline in his role under first-year head coach JJ Redick.
Drafted No. 17 overall in 2024, Knecht was initially celebrated as a steal. Redick publicly praised the Tennessee product on draft night and reportedly began designing sets to maximize his movement shooting and size on the wing.
But Knecht’s on-court opportunities have steadily evaporated.
The 24-year-old has not appeared in meaningful minutes this season. Once a rotation piece, Knecht averaged 19.2 minutes in October and 15.5 in November before seeing his role shrink to 7.8 minutes per game in December, eventually leading to a brief G League assignment.
In his lone G League appearance, Knecht scored 30 points before being recalled. Even so, his NBA minutes remained scarce.
On Wednesday, he logged eight minutes against the Cavaliers, scoring five points on 2-of-3 shooting.
Early Optimism Gave Way to Frustration
Earlier in the season, Redick had indicated Knecht would receive extended opportunities, particularly during Austin Reaves’ absence.
“Dalton will get a look for the foreseeable future,” Redick said at the time. “He’s not gonna be judged on whether he makes or misses shots, but that helps.”
Those opportunities never materialized consistently.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Knecht became a candidate for a “fresh start” following his inclusion in the rescinded Mark Williams trade earlier this season.
That notion gained traction when ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin reported that Knecht directly approached the Lakers’ front office to request a trade.
“I’m told Dalton Knecht approached the Lakers front office recently and has asked to be traded,” Irwin wrote. “It’s expected they’ll grant his wish.”
De’Andre Hunter Also Seeking Reset
Like Knecht, Hunter has struggled to find a footing this season.
The 28-year-old forward is shooting just 30.9% from three-point range, a steep decline from the 40.5% mark he posted last season while splitting time between Atlanta and Cleveland. While Hunter remains a capable defender, his offensive inconsistency has complicated Cleveland’s roster calculus, particularly given his $20-plus million annual salary.
For the Lakers, that salary presents both a challenge and an opportunity — one that Knecht’s emerging appeal may help unlock.
Hunter will be an expiring $24.9 million salary next season, which gives the Lakers a safety net if he doesn’t pan out in Los Angeles.
A Familiar Lakers Playbook
If Pelinka can once again flip a stalled asset into a complementary starter, the move would echo past Lakers success stories built on timing and patience rather than star chasing.
For now, the traction in Hunter talks offers Los Angeles a rare development: leverage.
Whether that momentum leads to a deal before the deadline remains uncertain, but for the first time in weeks, the Lakers appear to have a realistic pathway to addressing one of their most persistent roster needs.