The Los Angeles Lakers entered training camp with optimism about their revamped roster, but one of their young players is already drawing concerning evaluations from around the league.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, rival scouts have begun to view second-year guard Dalton Knecht as a “negative asset” following a disappointing preseason debut.
Knecht, the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, was once seen as a potential rotation piece and trade chip for Los Angeles. He averaged 9.1 points per game as a rookie, flashing shooting ability and scoring upside. However, his development has stalled, and his struggles in Summer League carried over into the preseason.
In the Lakers’ opener in Palm Desert, Knecht shot just 1-of-12 from the field, leaving scouts unimpressed. Woike reported that evaluators left the game “as pessimistic as ever,” with one scout bluntly calling him a negative asset, meaning the Lakers would likely need to attach draft capital or another player to move him in a trade.
The Lakers reportedly considered moving Knecht this summer but ultimately decided the return wasn’t worth giving up on his potential. Now, with his value at a low point, Los Angeles faces a dilemma: keep investing in his development or risk having to “pay” another team to take him on.
Some executives believe Knecht’s trade value has dropped to the point where he might only fetch multiple second-round picks, a steep fall from the first-round status he carried just a year ago.
Complicating matters is the Lakers’ depth on the wing. With Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and a healthy Jarred Vanderbilt competing for minutes, Knecht’s path to consistent playing time under new head coach JJ Redick is uncertain. Scouts have also raised concerns about his defense and decision-making, further limiting his appeal.
For now, the Lakers are holding onto Knecht, hoping he can regain confidence and rhythm as the regular season begins. A turnaround could restore some of his trade value and give Los Angeles more flexibility ahead of the deadline.
