Dalton Knecht Stays with Lakers as Charlotte Trade Falls Apart
Big news in the NBA—Dalton Knecht is staying in Los Angeles after a major trade deal between the Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets completely fell through. The Lakers had initially planned to send Knecht, along with Cam Reddish and multiple future draft picks, to Charlotte in exchange for big man Mark Williams. But just as the deal seemed finalized, it was rescinded. The reason? Williams reportedly failed his physical, making the entire trade void.
For those who don’t know, Dalton Knecht was the Lakers’ No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The former Tennessee standout has been a solid contributor this season, averaging 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 35.8% from three-point range. He’s had some impressive performances, including a 24-point game against Philadelphia and a record-tying 37-point explosion against Utah, where he hit nine three-pointers as a rookie. With the trade now off the table, he’ll remain a key part of the Lakers’ rotation moving forward.
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This entire situation came as a bit of a shock. Just days ago, reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania confirmed the trade was happening. The Lakers were hoping to fill their need at center, especially after shipping Anthony Davis to Dallas in a blockbuster deal for Luka Doncic. Williams, despite his injury history, was supposed to be their solution. But once his physical revealed “multiple issues,” the Lakers had no choice but to back out.
Now, both teams are back to square one. Charlotte released a statement welcoming Williams back, calling him a “dynamic presence” at the center position. Meanwhile, the Lakers still have a glaring hole in the middle of their lineup. With the trade deadline already passed, their best option might be looking at the buyout market for another big man.
So, in the end, Dalton Knecht isn’t going anywhere. Instead of heading to Charlotte, he’s staying put in LA, ready to continue proving himself in the NBA.
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