The 2024-25 NBA playoffs are still ongoing, but that hasn't stopped the already-eliminated teams from looking ahead to what's coming next in the offseason: the 2025 draft. This year's NBA draft will take place on Wednesday, June 25, giving the Los Angeles Lakers and the rest of the sidelined teams less than a month to work out their draft strategy.
With the trade market potentially heating up in the coming weeks, the Lakers could be looking to make a deal or two in the NBA draft's lead-up. Los Angeles' salary situation means familiar faces must be traded to help bring in reinforcements, which could spell bad news for a young Laker who's currently on thin ice.
Lakers Wing Dalton Knecht Is on Thin Ice 1 Month From NBA Draft
A handful of Lakers are facing uncertain outlooks this summer, including 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht.
Knecht's rookie campaign in L.A. was a rollercoaster ride, to say the least. The former Tennessee Volunteer opened the 2024-25 season as one of the Lakers' most frequent contributors, averaging 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 46.5% from the floor and 35.8% from deep in 48 games (12 starts). All early signs pointed to his being a fixture in head coach JJ Redick's lineup.
At least, that was until February rolled around. Knecht was a part of a trade that would've sent him to the Charlotte Hornets; however, Mark Williams' failed physical exam with the Lakers caused the deal to fall through.
It became increasingly clear Knecht's outlook wasn't the same player post-trade deadline as he was before the rescinded deal. His role in Redick's lineup diminished with each passing day, culminating in his averaging only 10 minutes per night in his final 12 regular-season appearances. The trend continued into the playoffs, where he only played 3:40 across two forgettable outings.
After practically being erased from the Lakers' game plans, it wouldn't be surprising if Knecht has already played his last game in L.A.
The 24-year-old wing could use a fresh start after being yo-yo'd around, and a shooter-hungry team could be willing to roll the dice if they're higher on him than Redick & Co. Knecht can also be used as a sweetener if the Lakers want to bring in a bigger, more expensive star to play alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
After a quick first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers must find ways to improve across the floor. To accomplish that goal, trading away Knecht in the coming weeks could be the first of many offseason dominoes to fall.
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