Ahead of the February 6 trade deadline, the LA Lakers made a lot of blockbuster moves, as they not only traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic, but also gave away their 2025 No. 17 overall first round draft pick, Dalton Knecht, for Mark Williams.
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However, after the Hornets center failed to pass his physical, the trade ended up being rescinded, which means Knecht had to make his way back to Los Angeles.
Lakers say the Mark Williams/Dalton Knecht trade has been rescinded.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2025
During the LA Lakers vs. Utah Jazz game on Monday night, cameras caught Knecht looking dejected on the bench.
Dalton Knecht looks PISSED 😭 pic.twitter.com/Nujp7jZ78A
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) February 11, 2025
It appeared as if Knecht was waiting to be put back on a flight to Charlotte.
Dalton Knecht does not look enthusiastic on that Lakers bench. It’s unfortunate for him to have to experience such an awkward situation in just his first season in the league. I feel bad for the rookie.
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) February 11, 2025
Now reports have come out that Knecht had told head coach JJ Redick that he needs time to process everything, before suiting up for the team once again.
JJ Redick said he met with Dalton Knecht this morning and he understands he still needs time to process everything. He said Knecht will likely be out of the rotation tonight.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) February 11, 2025
Lakers coach JJ Redick said he spoke with rookie Dalton Knecht this morning.
Knecht will be in uniform but is unlikely to be in the rotation today unless something happens. Redick wants Knecht to get fully acclaimed after the recent trade was rescinded. pic.twitter.com/7Ke0GWhCtA
— James H. Williams | USA Today (@JHWreporter) February 11, 2025
Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins joked about the Lakers front office and coaching staff needing to give reassurance to the rookie that he is still a valuable part of the team.
"The other issue is that how JJ Redick, Rob Pelinka, and other members in the Lakers' organization are gonna have to lie telling Dalton Knecht how much they love him and they didn't want to trade him," Perkins said on ESPN.
People telling Dalton Knecht to get over it and stop whining. How would y’all feel if you found put you’re not wanted as a rookie?
— DOM 🏀🏀🏀 (@OfficialDomNBA) February 11, 2025
Dalton Knecht on Lakers team plane looking at Rob Pelinka
pic.twitter.com/EKx9Kt68w1— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 9, 2025
In his first NBA season, Knecht has averaged 9.4 points (35.8% 3PT) in 20 minutes per game, as he will now look to get re-acclimated with the new look Lakers roster, that features playing alongside Luka in the backcourt.
Fans have expressed their support for the young rookie out of Tennessee, as one user on X wrote:
"I hope Dalton Knecht knows the Lakers like him & gave him more minutes than JHS [Jalen Hood-Schifino] ever got. He was only traded for the position he doesn't play which is center. Also if he feels a certain type of way he needs to look down the Lakers bench & see if a guy like Luka can get traded so can he. So man up & check ball."
