Lakers Draft Pick Tipped to Draw Trade Interest Despite Struggles The Los Angeles Lakers have faced persistent challenges in maintaining a stable rotation this season, with recurring injuries forcing frequent adjustments to lineups and player roles. Amid this instability, second-year guard Dalton Knecht has struggled to secure a consistent role, with his minutes and impact diminishing despite remaining healthy. Selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Knecht entered the league with high expectations that his perimeter shooting would translate quickly to the NBA level. However, his early struggles, compounded by a rescinded trade to the Charlotte Hornets last season, have left him without a clear path to establish himself. Through 48 games this season, Knecht has averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per contest, shooting 44.8% from the field and 30.7% from beyond the arc. While he initially saw sporadic opportunities, his role has sharply declined in recent weeks. In February, he played just 36 total minutes across seven appearances, and by March, he had logged only 10 minutes in three games despite being fully healthy. His diminished presence in the rotation has raised questions about his long-term future with the Lakers. Behind The Buck Pass’ William Moxon has suggested that an offseason trade could still materialize, with the Milwaukee Bucks identified as a potential destination. Moxon noted that Knecht’s G League assignments might lower his perceived value, making him a low-cost option for teams looking to invest in development. “While nothing is set in stone, [his G League assignments] could open the door for the Milwaukee Bucks to trade for him on the cheap and turn him into their next reclamation project, similar to Ousmane Dieng,” Moxon wrote.#milwaukee_bucks #los_angeles_lakers #south_bay_lakers #dalton_knecht #william_moxon
