JJ Redick acknowledged how Dalton Knecht's situation with the Lakers has unfolded since his arrival in Los Angeles.
Nevertheless, the Lakers coach commended the young forward for remaining professional and ready to contribute despite the team's unexpected roster changes over the past two seasons.
"I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years." Redick told reporters before the Lakers' preseason finale on Friday against the Denver Nuggets, via Lakers Nation's Daniel Starkand. "I think, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the injuries we had.
"I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings and he’s in a tough spot right now."
Dalton Knecht's lopsided run in LA set to end amid looming exit
Dalton Knecht was chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 17th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Knecht showed instant promise in his first few games as a Laker, helping the team win with his shooting and red-hot performances.
Unfortunately, Knecht's shooting touch disappeared by the middle of the 2024-25 season. And when the Lakers basically dealt him in a failed trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams, it appeared that his composure and confidence completely slipped away.
After averaging 9.1 points in 19.2 minutes across 78 games (16 starts) in his rookie season, Knecht was completely out of JJ Redick's rotation this past 2025-26 amid the team's roster changes and priorities. He averaged just 4.2 points in 10.2 minutes, appearing in 54 games last year.
Knecht finds himself in jeopardy now amid the Lakers' roster crunch. LA is reportedly in exploratory talks to deal him to the Milwaukee Bucks for Jericho Sims.