Dalton Knecht
Getty
Lakers' Dalton Knecht and head coach JJ Redick during a game against the Clippers in February 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers are always a relevant name at the trade deadline due to the large fan base anticipating big moves. Top three stars Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves are expected to remain on the roster to make the potential moves more difficult. Almost every role player on the roster has been mentioned in trade rumors at some point over the past few months.
However, the LA Times reports that the Lakers are putting stronger emphasis on moving two specific role players before the deadline:
“So, the Lakers still have time to do a deal, but people not authorized to speak publicly on the matter say teams have little interest in guards Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht, the two most prominent players the Lakers seem to be pushing.”
The Lakers front office continues to send offers with Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht to other teams, but they rarely see strong interest. Both players are quite expendable and barely in the rotation. Unfortunately, opposing teams don’t see much value in them offering anything of note in return for this trade package.
Why Lakers Are Shopping These Players
Vincent and Knecht were originally considered important additions to the team not that long ago. Los Angeles added Vincent due to his previous success helping the Miami Heat reach the NBA Finals. Knecht was supposed to be a promising draft pick that the team once viewed as part of their future.
Both players have since lost their credibility with the franchise. Knecht reportedly requested a trade after head coach JJ Redick lost interest in playing him off the bench. Vincent still gets reserve minutes, but he is teetering on losing his spot in the rotation once the team is 100% healthy.
Lakers management have been trying hardest to move these two names in hopes of acquiring an under the radar talent to improve their depth. The best-case scenario would see a veteran on a bad team getting moved to the Lakers in exchange for a young Knecht and Vincent’s salary, but they’ve yet to find an ideal trade partner.
Teams Not Interested In Lakers Assets
The only noteworthy names on the Lakers roster that would excite fans are not the ones on the trade market. Rui Hachimura would be the best overall player that opposing teams could realistically add to their roster in a Lakers trade, but Los Angeles would want an upgrade for the starting lineup there.
All other players in trade talks are the reserves and role players that could be easy to match with other contracts. The Lakers have one goal of improving the roster by any means necessary while keeping the top trio of star power to lead them.
Next season could see more change coming due to LeBron’s future being in doubt and the Lakers hoping to benefit from stronger flexibility. Until then, the team will continue to hope that someone wants Vincent and Knecht. Future draft picks may be necessary for teams to seriously entertain this trade package.