Dalton Knecht’s second NBA season with the Lakers ends after a 4-0 playoff sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Knecht limited to eight total minutes across three losses. After a rocky start that dates to a nullified rookie-season trade, his role has kept
Dalton Knecht’s Lakers season didn’t just end in the playoffs—it ended quietly.
After the Lakers were swept 4-0 by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, Knecht logged eight total minutes across three losing games. The postseason picture mirrored what came before: he played just 10 minutes during the Lakers’ 4-2 series win over the Houston Rockets in the opening round.
That limited runway is sharpening questions inside Los Angeles about what happens to Knecht next.
In just his second NBA season, Knecht appeared in 58 games and averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds.. Per appearance, he averaged 10.2 minutes, with one nod in the starting lineup.. By the numbers. he hasn’t been a consistent part of the rotation—and the Lakers’ playoff usage made that feel even clearer.
What makes it stick isn’t only the minutes. It’s the sense of a player stuck between potential and fit.
Knecht’s standing with the Lakers has felt shaky ever since the rare nullified trade during his rookie season.. He was originally sent to the Charlotte Hornets at the trade deadline. but the deal was nixed after Charlotte’s trade piece failed his physical with the Lakers.. From there, his role never stabilized.
His shot volume alone tells the story.. Knecht took 557 shots in his first year, but that number dropped to 191 shots during his second year with the team.. At this past season’s deadline. his name did appear in trade scenarios. but nothing materialized amid rumors that pointed to diminished value due to a lack of usage.
With no concrete outcome yet, the door is open for the kind of offseason shake-up that has hovered around him for a while.
Svyatoslav Rovenchuk of Lake Show Life argues that a separation could be necessary.. In his words, Knecht was “somewhat miscast” with the Lakers.. Rovenchuk also wrote that Knecht has “inexplicably survived plenty of major stretches post-Williams trade debacle without being moved. despite constant speculation about his future in Los Angeles. ” adding that “this should be the offseason in which the 25-year-old finally puts on new threads.”
That speculation lands in the middle of a larger roster conversation for the Lakers.
The biggest question. as the team looks ahead. is whether LeBron James will return for what would be his record 24th season in the association.. Beyond that uncertainty, Los Angeles appears focused on building the best team it can around future MVP Luka Dončić.. In that framework, Knecht may not fit as neatly—especially with JJ Redick at the helm.
For Knecht, who is 25 and heading into his third year, the possibility of “new threads” is now becoming a real offseason expectation rather than just noise.
And after another postseason that barely had him on the court, time in L.A. may be approaching its end. A fresh start would arrive with the upcoming 2026-2027 season—if the Lakers decide to finally make a move.
Dalton Knecht Los Angeles Lakers Oklahoma City Thunder LeBron James Luka Doncic JJ Redick NBA playoffs trade rumors