Latest news with #Knecht
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Could Bronny James be more central to Lakers rotation than Dalton Knecht?
Bronny James has had his fair share of ups and downs in his NBA career. He has dealt with an abundance of criticism regarding whether he even belongs in the NBA. Bronny took huge strides with his development in the summer league, putting together solid all-around performances. The question no longer is whether he belongs in the NBA; the new question is does he now deserve more minutes than last year's first round pick Dalton Knecht? Angela Miele with USC Trojans on Sports Illustrated dissected former NBA star Gilbert Arenas' thoughts on Knecht and Bronny James. "Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas has been vocal about James' development in the NBA," Miele wrote. "He has previously called out the critics for being too hard on a second-round draft pick, and has recently made his opinions on James and Knecht clear. 'Who looks more like the first-round pick. [James] or Knecht right now? F*ck the names, just the production, and charisma, and style and comfortability,' Arenas said on his show, Gil's Arena. 'Who looks more like the first-round pick? Are they three years apart from each other? One looks way more comfortable than the other.' In the summer league, the former USC guard averaged 14.3 points and 3.8 assists. He showed his improvement with distributing the ball and is showing more confidence on the court. With his development throughout his rookie year and his performance in the summer league, James is on pace to be a part of the Lakers' rotation this season." Bronny James rarely saw the court last season for the Lakers, and Dalton Knecht was part of the rotation, playing 78 games last season and averaging 19 minutes per contest. Dalton Knecht was involved in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets that got rescinded; it was the package for Mark Williams. That episode caused a riff between Knecht and the Lakers. Trade packages including Knecht continue to be reported as the Lakers try to improve. For a highly touted first-round pick, he had a less than impressive summer league season. Bronny James' stock continues to rise. We could see James be a more impactful and consistent part of the Lakers' rotation this season. Knecht could either be out of the rotation or on another team.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Lakers Rumor: Dalton Knecht's Trade Value Reportedly Tanks After Disappointing Summer League Showing With Los Angeles
Miami Heat's smart trade strategy puts Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht in spotlight (Image Source: Getty Images) The NBA Summer League can either showcase a young player's potential or expose their flaws—and for Dalton Knecht , it was the latter. Once seen as a promising asset with first-round trade value, Knecht's underwhelming performance in Las Vegas has caused his stock to nosedive. Now, the Los Angeles Lakers are left with a player whose market appeal has faded fast. Dalton Knecht's Journey From Draft Steal to Trade Bait When the Lakers selected Dalton Knecht with the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, it was widely regarded as a savvy move. He entered the league after a breakout season at Tennessee, with great size, shooting range, and a scorer's mindset. Some even believed he could be a central piece in future trades for established talent. But those high expectations quickly clashed with on-court reality. Summer League Struggles for Knecht Rather than cementing his value, Knecht's Summer League stint raised serious doubts. - Inefficient Scoring: He averaged just 10.3 points over three games, shooting only 27.9% from the field and 23.8% from beyond the arc. - One Standout Game, Then Silence: A lone 25-point performance was overshadowed by poor shot selection and recurring defensive issues. - Minimal Impact Beyond Scoring: When his shot wasn't falling, Dalton Knecht struggled to contribute in other areas—failing to make a mark as a playmaker, rebounder, or defender. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dubai's Next Icon: Experience Binghatti Aquarise Luxury Binghatti Developers FZE Learn More Undo For a player drafted to be a shooting threat, this lack of versatility and efficiency was deeply concerning. How Knecht's Trade Value is in Free Fall League insiders have confirmed what many already feared: Knecht is no longer viewed as a first-round-level trade asset. Teams around the league now see him as a limited contributor with a niche role at best—hardly the type of player that moves the needle in major trade discussions. Why His Value Dropped - Age: At 24, Knecht is older than most developing prospects, which limits his perceived growth potential. - Defensive Weaknesses: He has shown difficulty keeping up with quicker wings and grasping complex defensive schemes. - Undefined Role: Without reliable shooting or playmaking, scouts wonder if he's destined to be a bench piece rather than a starter. - Disappointing Summer League: Rather than silencing critics, his performance reinforced existing concerns. Los Angeles Lakers' Missed Opportunities The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly tried to include Knecht in several trade packages—once as part of a deal for center Mark Williams, and later in proposals meant to clear cap space or acquire veteran help. Initially viewed as a sweetener, Knecht's name has now lost most of its leverage. Rival teams have shown little interest, with some unwilling to even offer a second-round pick in return. Fans Begin to Accept Reality Lakers fans, once excited about Dalton Knecht's shooting potential, are now coming to terms with a different picture. Many agree he's not ready to contribute meaningfully, and hopes of him being a trade centerpiece have all but vanished. Online discussions around his trade value often result in disbelief and mockery. Can Dalton Knecht Turn Things Around? There's still a sliver of hope. Dalton Knecht has reportedly committed to a rigorous workout schedule and is working closely with head coach JJ Redick to improve his defense and decision-making. The Los Angeles Lakers aren't ready to completely write him off, recognizing that player development isn't always linear. Also read: Golden State Warriors Reportedly Almost Landed $251,019,650 Phoenix Suns Superstar Amid Buyout Rumors But after a rough showing in Vegas, he'll need a dramatic turnaround next season to restore his value. For now, Dalton Knecht is no longer viewed as a first-round asset—and that's a tough blow for both him and the franchise that believed in him. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Insider: Dalton Knecht's value on the market has fallen
The Los Angeles Lakers had a stroke of good fortune last summer when they got to take University of Tennessee sharpshooter Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 pick in the NBA draft. Knecht was projected as a top-10 pick by many, and the feeling was that the Lakers got a gem. His rookie season was a rollercoaster. He had a hot streak in November, but he went into a deep freeze afterward and saw his playing time diminish. The wing was then included in the failed trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams in February, and afterward, observers wondered how he would respond mentally. Knecht's production rose again in March, but he fell out of coach JJ Redick's rotation afterward, and his play during summer league didn't exactly inspire any optimism about how he will do this coming season. He has been involved in multiple trade rumors this summer as Los Angeles has looked to land a 3-and-D wing. But insider Jovan Buha said on a recent episode of "Buha's Block" that Knecht's value on the market has fallen. 'Summer League has not helped Knecht's stock, and I don't think at this point he is valued as a first-round pick, in terms of an asset valuation. That was what I heard in Vegas from talking to multiple people, non-Lakers people, just gauging what would you give for Dalton Knecht? Or if the Lakers are putting Dalton Knecht in a trade, what is he worth? And the feedback I got was, no longer worth a first-round valuation.' How one plays in summer league doesn't necessarily translate to the NBA season, and it is still possible that Knecht shows some definite growth this fall and winter. After all, by his own admission, he has been doing three workouts a day this offseason. But if Lakers fans are expecting him to fetch that missing piece to the championship puzzle this summer, they will likely be disappointed.
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dalton Knecht starts for Lakers, plays 29 minutes against Clippers
Four former Tennessee men's basketball players competed in the NBA Summer League on Monday in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sacramento defeated San Antonio, 94-76. Jordan Gainey totaled four points and two rebounds. He converted 1-of-1 field goal attempts and 2-of-2 free throw attempts. Gainey played for the Vols from 2023-25 after transferring from USC Upstate. He signed with the Suns as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NBA draft. Atlanta defeated Houston, 111-108, in overtime. Kennedy Chandler started and played 36 minutes for the Rockets. He totaled 22 points, seven assists, three steals and one rebound. Chandler converted 8-of-20 field goal attempts, 3-of-8 three-point attempts and 3-of-5 free throw attempts. Chandler was selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft (No. 38 overall) by San Antonio, and traded to Memphis. He most recently played for the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn's NBA G-League affiliate. The Clippers defeated the Lakers, 67-58. Dalton Knecht started and played 29 minutes for the Lakers. He totaled eight points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. Knecht converted 3-of-15 field goal attempts, 1-of-8 three-point attempts and 1-of-4 free throw attempts. He played for the Vols in 2023-24 after transferring from Northern Colorado. Knecht was selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17 overall) by Los Angeles. Chicago defeated Indiana, 114-105. Josiah-Jordan James totaled two points, one steal and one assist in 12 minutes for the Pacers. He converted 1-of-4 field goal attempts. James played for the Vols from 2019-24. He signed with the Pacers as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NBA draft. James played last season in the NBA G-League for the Indiana Mad Ants, the Pacers' affiliate.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dalton Knecht Injury Update: Lakers Sophomore Suffers Calf Issues In Summer League Clash
Dalton Knecht Injury Update: Lakers Sophomore Suffers Calf Issues In Summer League Clash originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Lakers lost their highly anticipated Summer League match-up against the Mavericks in a nail-biting 85-87 game. Since it was Cooper Flagg's first game in a Mavericks uniform, all eyes were fixed on the game to see how the young Lakers players Bronny James and Dalton Knecht performed against the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Advertisement However, the Lakers suffered a massive setback near the end of the game as their young sophomore Knecht went down, clenching his knee. After the game, the Lakers' Summer League head coach Lindsay Sterling confirmed that Knecht suffered calf cramps during the game. Cramps are not usually long-term concerns, and Knecht is expected to recover soon. What Happened During Lakers vs. Mavericks? Dalton Knecht finished the game as the second-highest scorer for the Lakers and had 15 points, four rebounds, and two assists in the game while shooting 6 of 16 from the floor (37.5%). Bronny James finished the game with eight points, two rebounds, and two assists while missing what could have been the game-winner for the Lakers. Not the most memorable night for either of these players, but there was a silver lining for the Lakers. Knecht and James were overshadowed by their teammate Cole Swider. The former undrafted Lakers player finished the game with 22 points and 10 rebounds, arguably the only one who kept this game close for the Lakers. He is averaging over 20 points per game in the Summer League and could earn a call-up from the Lakers if he stays consistent like this. Advertisement Meanwhile, for the Mavericks, Ryan Nembhard, the brother of NBA player Andrew Nembhard, was the leading scorer with 21 points and five assists. He overshadowed Cooper Flagg in the second half, who went cold after scoring all his 10 points in the first half. But Flagg also had six rebounds, four assists, and three steals, therefore stuffing the box score in multiple ways beyond just scoring. The Lakers face the Pelicans next in the Summer League, with two more games to go beyond that against the Clippers and Celtics. The Mavericks are set to face the San Antonio Spurs next, where Cooper Flagg will likely clash with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Dylan Harper. The Summer League is a good opportunity for teams with young rosters to try out different strategies in the game. It also helps players gain the confidence they need heading into the offseason. Related: Bronny James Shares Initial Thoughts On Cooper Flagg During Lakers, Mavericks Summer League Game This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
