Lakers guard Dalton Knecht
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht during a game against the Atlanta Hawks in January 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers are riding a three-game winning streak and have won six of their last seven during a critical stretch of the season.
With the Western Conference standings tightly packed, every result carries added importance as the race for playoff positioning intensifies.
The Lakers currently sit fourth in the West with a 40-25 record after defeating the fifth-place Minnesota Timberwolves 120-106 on Tuesday night.
While the spotlight remains firmly on the NBA roster during this crucial run, the organization has continued to lean on its G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, as a developmental hub for young prospects and fringe rotation players looking for consistent minutes.
Lakers Continue to Utilize South Bay as Development Platform
South Bay has recently featured several players connected to the Lakers’ roster, including two-way trio Drew Timme, Nick Smith Jr. and Chris Manon, along with NBA assignees Bronny James and Adou Thiero.
Ahead of matchups with the Iowa Wolves on March 11 and 13, the Lakers assigned James and Thiero back to the G League, according to reporter Ryan Ward.
However, the assignment announcement also included a notable addition with second-year guard Dalton Knecht.
Ryan Ward
The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned guards Bronny James Jr. and Dalton Knecht along with forward Adou Thiero to the South Bay Lakers.
Knecht showed promise early in his rookie campaign during the 2024-25 season, but a rescinded trade that would have sent him to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Mark Williams appears to have disrupted his momentum.
Since then, the 24-year-old has struggled to regain rhythm and confidence with the Lakers.
Through 48 games this season, Knecht is averaging 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in just 10.6 minutes per game while shooting 44.8% from the field and 30.7% from three-point range.
His role has steadily diminished, with the guard drifting towards the fringes of the Lakers’ rotation at various points this season.
In January, Knecht logged just 36 total minutes of playing time, and through three games in March he has appeared for only 10 minutes.
A G League assignment offers the opportunity to rebuild confidence in a lower-pressure environment while receiving consistent playing time.
Knecht previously made his G League debut in December, and the early signs were encouraging.
In 36 minutes during a win over the San Diego Clippers, he erupted for 30 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block while shooting 10-of-17 from the field and 6-of-10 from three-point range.
Los Angeles’ Prospects Gaining Valuable Minutes in South Bay
Considering his limited playing time with the Lakers and the success of his lone G League appearance this season, it is somewhat surprising that Knecht has not spent more time in South Bay.
The same approach has recently been used with Bronny James and Adou Thiero, both of whom have seen increased G League action in recent weeks.
For James, the assignments resemble the closing stretch of his rookie season, when he became a regular presence with South Bay.
So far this season, James has appeared in 18 G League games, averaging 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 47.4% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range.
Thiero’s development path has been slightly different. Since being selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, injuries have slowed his ability to build momentum.
The Lakers have taken a cautious approach with the rookie following offseason knee surgery that sidelined him early in the season, along with a more recent MCL sprain that kept him out throughout January.
Like James, Thiero’s G League opportunities have increased in recent weeks.
Across seven games for South Bay this season, the 21-year-old is averaging 15.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 66.1% from the field and an impressive 58.3% from three-point range.
He has also flashed the athleticism and defensive versatility that made him an intriguing draft selection, highlighted by a career-high 25-point performance on March 8 in a win over the Santa Cruz Warriors.
For Knecht, a similar stint in South Bay could prove just as valuable, offering the opportunity to regain rhythm and confidence while positioning himself to re-enter the Lakers’ rotation during the final stretch of the season.