Lakers Send Dalton Knecht to G League After Warriors Win
The Los Angeles Lakers have made a quiet but meaningful roster move and it involves one of their young shooters, Dalton Knecht.
Just hours after a hard-fought 105 to 99 win over the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers assigned Knecht to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. On the surface, it may not look dramatic. There is no injury. There is no disciplinary issue. But the timing matters and so does the context.
Knecht did not see the floor in that win over Golden State. In fact, his role has been shrinking. The second-year guard has appeared in 41 games this season, averaging just 4.6 points while shooting 44 percent from the field and 31 percent from three. For a player known for his perimeter scoring, that three-point percentage stands out and not in a good way.
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This move appears to be about opportunity. The Lakers are in the middle of a competitive Western Conference race. At 32 and 19, they sit fifth in the standings. Every game counts. Rotation minutes are tight. Development often takes a back seat to winning now. So sending Knecht to the G League gives him something he has not consistently had in the NBA this season, real minutes, real reps and a chance to rebuild rhythm.
But there is another layer here. Leading up to the trade deadline, Knecht reportedly requested a trade. That did not materialize. The deadline has now passed and he remains in Los Angeles. That tells us the Lakers did not see an offer worth taking, or they still believe in his long-term upside. Either way, the message is clear. He is staying and now he needs to develop.
For the Lakers, this is about balancing the present and the future. They have veteran stars. They have playoff ambitions. But they also invested in Knecht as a first-round talent. If he can sharpen his shooting and regain confidence in the G League, he could still become a valuable piece, especially in a postseason run where depth matters.
For Knecht, this is a moment of response. Not a setback, but a test. Young players often take this path. The ones who return stronger tend to carve out lasting roles.
We will continue to follow how this decision shapes both his season and the Lakers’ playoff push. Stay with us for the latest developments from around the NBA and across the sports world.
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