Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers
Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming up on an important deadline, with forward Dalton Knecht, the team’s first round pick in 2024, at the forefront of trade talks.
For months Knecht, 25, has been the Lakers top rumored trade candidate following a disappointing 2025-26 season, where the team watched Knecht’s production dip across the board.
Now with the preseason in the books and the unofficial deadline for teams to become roster compliant just hours away, the Lakers appear to be kicking things up a notch in their pursuit of finding a taker for Knecht.
Lakers Get Major Trade Update on Knecht
Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 13: Dalton Knecht #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Will Richard #3 of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter of a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, the Lakers have gotten more aggressive in their push to trade Knecht, whose time in Los Angeles seems to be coming to an end.
“The Lakers have continued making recent trade calls in attempts to move Dalton Knecht instead of outright waiving him, with LA having communication with the Bucks, Bulls, and Jazz, among others, sources told @ClutchPoints. It’s become clear Knecht’s future isn’t with the Lakers,” Siegel reported on X, formerly Twitter.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported this week that the Lakers held exploratory trade talks with the Milwaukee Bucks involving big man Jericho Sims. But according to Siegel, the Bucks have resisted anything less than two second round picks in exchange for Sims, the 27-year-old former second round pick.
“I’m told the Lakers had approached the Bucks about a deal where they’d land Jericho Sims, but the Bucks had not been all that receptive to such a move with LA for just a single second-round pick,” Siegel reported. “Lakers are also still seeing if they can do a 2-for-1 trade to add another center.”
It has become clear that the Lakers are either going to find a trade for Knecht or, as a second resort, straight up waive him. The clear preference is to deal Knecht to another team, but Siegel isn’t forecasting a trade to get done.
“We will see if the Lakers can get any sort of deal done involving Knecht, but they’ve been trying to do so for months,” Siegel wrote. “Based on the way things have progressed and no real trade scenario emerging to this point, I would personally lean in the direction of no trade happening.”
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Adel Ahmad Adel is a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA. His work has appeared on various media platforms, both national and local. More about Adel Ahmad
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