Latest news with #DaltonKnecht
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bronny James on his development: 'My confidence has grown'
This month's NBA summer league was an overall disappointment for the Los Angeles Lakers. They went 1-4 in the main Las Vegas summer league, and incoming second-year sharpshooter Dalton Knecht struggled throughout both the main summer league and the California Classic with his shooting. In addition, Darius Bazley, a forward who has five years of NBA history, played some impressive basketball on both ends of the floor, but he suffered a leg injury in the Lakers' penultimate summer league game. But while Bronny James struggled offensively early on, he finished strong. He shot the ball well and made an impact defensively, and overall, he looked a lot more comfortable on the court than he did several months ago. Summer league coach Lindsey Harding was impressed with how the 20-year-old did this month, per 'He's been great,' said Harding. 'Having his time in the G League, getting more and more confidence and then coming here and taking more minutes and responsibility on his shoulders. Handling the ball much more than he has in the past and making those decisions and reads for us, he's taken that role on as a leader, that was also part of his growth. And then on the defensive end, where he had those moments where he can really pressure (the ball), pick up full court, be disruptive. That's something where he can really have an immediate impact for our team this season.' In an interview with Mike Trudell, James talked about his growth going back to his time in the G League just a few months ago. 'I definitely think those G League reps were amazing for me to be comfortable in my game, so that's helped for me to be out there for an extended period of time,' added Bronny. 'My confidence has grown from last year, throughout the G League season and some NBA games. It's been a slow progression, but it's working out so far. ' The guard also talked about how he's working on his ability to be a lead guard, even though he will likely have to play as a 2-guard if he ever makes it to the NBA. 'Keeping working on my game on ball, all the stuff off ball will just flow,' he said. 'But if I'm consistently confident in bringing the ball up, knowing my role and being able to play the 1 when it's needed, I think I'll be good. Because I don't really have any problem playing off the ball if I need to. So just getting those reps over and over again of me having the ball in my hand most of the time is really good for my development.' In four games at the main summer league, James ended up averaging 14.3 points on 47.6% field-goal shooting, 3.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 steals a game. His 3-point shooting was iffy and he turned the ball over a little too much, but he gave plenty of people continued hope that he can eventually become a rotation player at the NBA level.
Time of India
2 days ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers dangling ex-Vol Dalton Knecht in trade talks, won't get first-round pick after value tanks at Summer League
The Los Angeles Lakers are finding no luck on the trade market as it pertains to former Tennessee Volunteers star Dalton Knecht. Lakers reporter Jovan Buha claims that league sources on the ground at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas told him that Knecht is no longer considered worthy of a first-round pick in a potential swap. '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,' Buha said. Knecht was packaged with Cam Reddish, a 2031 Lakers unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap in a rescinded trade for Mark Williams with the Charlotte Hornets. His value didn't fall from that deal, though. Knecht's value tanked during Summer League play. The Athletic's Tony Jones proclaimed Knecht plays 'so selfishly' and that 'nothing else matters' on the floor when he's looking for his shot. Only around 31,000 people saw that tweet. Still, the damage is clearly done. Knecht destroyed the goodwill he entered the league with after a brilliant career on Rocky Top. No longer is he the kind of threat you feed the ball to and let go to work. Even alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James, Knecht couldn't even be someone worth trusting along the perimeter. While he had a promising March, he put up 5.1 points in 13.6 minutes per game the first month after Doncic's arrival and 2.5 points in garbage time minutes during two playoff games.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Expected To Trade Dalton Knecht, Clear Cap Space To Sign Marcus Smart
Lakers Expected To Trade Dalton Knecht, Clear Cap Space To Sign Marcus Smart originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers have turned their offseason roster construction efforts around with their recent signing of Marcus Smart in free agency. While this has positively addressed the team's need for an elite defender, the Lakers may package Dalton Knecht and Maxi Kleber in a trade move before finalizing Smart's signing, according to Lakers insider Anthony Irwin. As things stand, certain cap constraints prevent the team from completing the move. Irwin suggested that this was indicative of a potential trade to clear cap space on a recent episode of "Lakers Lounge." He said: "The Lakers have a couple of paths they can head down. One, the Lakers would prefer to complete some type of a consolidation trade, where they send out an expiring contract and Dalton Knecht, and they bring in a player that they are more confident will help them this year and continue on without having to waive Jordan Goodwin." The Lakers are presently expected to offer Marcus Smart a two-year, $11 million deal. Although the buyout from the Wizards lets the team acquire him at a discount, the Lakers still do not have the bi-annual exception (BAE) available to them to do so. While Irwin discussed the situation surrounding Shake Milton, the Lakers eventually opted to waive the guard, clearing up the necessary roster space to acquire Smart. But their need to clear more cap space suggests that another move may be in the works. The insider also addressed the possibility of Smart taking less money to facilitate the move happening, but this seems improbable. With this in mind, any trade involving Knecht and Kleber could hint at the Lakers' strategic direction. Knecht has garnered a lot of interest in trade rumors over the offseason. As a sharpshooter with high upside, the young guard brings a lot to the table, even if his display in the Summer League was somewhat underwhelming. Meanwhile, Kleber now serves more as an experienced veteran big man at this stage in his career. While his intelligence and floor spacing ability could be of value to several teams in the league, his status as an expiring contract makes him a more appealing acquisition. When considering what the Lakers could get in return for these two, it is important to remember the team's preference for expiring/short-term contracts that will keep their cap space clear for next season. Additionally, having addressed the concerns regarding their big man rotation, the Lakers are more likely to pursue a wing defender. While a star-caliber player is an unlikely acquisition in this trade package, the Purple and Gold could look to sign a player capable of contributing to winning right away. Update: The Lakers have opted to waive Jordan Goodwin to clear more cap space to complete Marcus Smart's signing. While efforts to facilitate trades were made in the last 24 hours, matters never moved beyond the initial stages. The Lakers also didn't intend to give up significant draft assets in these story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
