Dalton Knecht Shares Emotional Thoughts on Returning to Lakers and Playing with Luka Doncic
Dalton Knecht Shares Emotional Thoughts on Returning to Lakers and Playing with Luka Doncic
Dalton Knecht Shares Honest Thoughts on Lakers Return, Playing with Luka Doncic Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht had a week like no other, an experience that most NBA players never go through during their careers.
Ahead of the NBA’s February 6 trade deadline, the Lakers traded the rookie shooting guard, along with a 2031 first-round pick, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and teammate Cam Reddish, to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams. This trade was made at the request of newly-acquired star Luka Doncic, as the Lakers sought to fulfill his wish of playing with a lob threat.
Although it’s unlikely Doncic specifically named the players to be traded for a rim-protecting big man, his arrival and subsequent requests led the Lakers to part with Knecht. This made it all the more awkward for Knecht when he was brought back to Los Angeles after the trade was voided due to Williams failing his physical.
Knecht opened up about the awkwardness of returning to the team that drafted and traded him within his first year in the NBA, following the Lakers’ 12-point road loss to the Utah Jazz on February 12.
“It was a crazy time,” Knecht said, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. “Not too many people have done that, come back [after being traded]. But at the end of the day, I just wanted to hoop.
Dalton Knecht Expresses Excitement About Playing with Luka Doncic
Knecht acknowledged that the failed trade experience was difficult, but he also spoke highly of his first time sharing the court with Doncic as teammates.
“The passes that he was making out there, it’s crazy,” Knecht said. “They told me first thing back is no matter what, when [Doncic] has the ball, be ready to shoot. He’s going to get it to you, no matter what. And seeing a couple passes to [Austin Reaves], [LeBron James] — he wasn’t even looking. So it was crazy. I’m excited.”
Knecht played 17 minutes during the Lakers’ final game before the NBA All-Star break on Wednesday night.
Lakers Likely to Explore Trade Options This Offseason
Despite how Knecht may feel about the situation or what he has shared privately, the 23-year-old has handled everything with professionalism and grace.
However, that doesn’t mean Knecht won’t find himself back on the trade block once the free agency period begins this summer.
While it’s unclear if the Lakers will attempt to trade Knecht again, what’s certain is that the team will continue searching for a lob threat and rim protector to satisfy Doncic’s request and strengthen the defense for years to come.
Knecht’s ability to space the floor and knock down three-pointers makes him a valuable asset in today’s NBA. If the Lakers pursue players like Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers or Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets this summer, Knecht might be traded once again.
