The NBA trade deadline is always filled with surprises, but few rookies have had an experience like Dalton Knecht. One minute, he was preparing to join the Charlotte Hornets, excited for a fresh start. The next moment, he found himself back in Los Angeles, trying to make sense of one of the most bizarre trade reversals in recent memory. Last week, the Lakers traded Knecht, Cam Reddish, and several draft picks to Charlotte in exchange for 7-foot-2 center Mark Williams. The trade was intended to strengthen the Lakers’ frontcourt and better complement Luka Dončić’s playing style. But then, things took an unexpected turn. Williams failed his physical, leading the Lakers to cancel the deal—a rare event in NBA transactions. Knecht was already in Charlotte meeting the team and was on his way to Detroit for what was supposed to be his debut with the Hornets. But before he could play, he was informed that the trade had been voided. Just like that, he was a Laker again.
For a rookie like Knecht, who had been making waves in his first NBA season, the news was a tough pill to swallow. The No. 17 overall pick from Tennessee had been seen as part of the Lakers’ long-term plans. Having proved himself in the first half of the season, the sudden trade and return felt awkward and almost unreal. “It was tough. I got drafted here, so L.A. means a lot,” Knecht shared with Jovan Buha of The Athletic. “I flew to Charlotte in the morning with one of my guys, got introduced, started meeting the people there, then flew to Detroit for what was supposed to be my debut game, only to find out I’m now flying back to [Los Angeles].” He quickly realized how the business of the NBA works. After taking Monday to process the situation, Knecht returned to the court on Wednesday, scoring 10 points in 17 minutes during a 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz.
Despite the emotional ups and downs, Knecht kept his message simple when speaking to head coach JJ Redick and GM Rob Pelinka after returning to L.A. “Yeah, it was a crazy time,” Knecht admitted. “At the end of the day, I just wanted to hoop. I told JJ [Redick] and Rob [Pelinka] when I got back—that was the main thing, I want to go hoop.” And hoop he did. In his 20.6 minutes per game, Knecht has averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, shooting 46.4% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc. He has proven to be a steal after slipping down the draft board, something few expected after he was once considered a potential top-10 pick. Knecht’s journey to the NBA has been far from conventional. He started his career in junior college, transferred to Northern Colorado, and eventually made his name at Tennessee, going from an unknown prospect to a first-round selection. His path has been defined by persistence, and this latest turn is just another chapter in his story.
