Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht is being viewed as a “negative asset” by scouts following a difficult preseason performance, Dan Woike reported for The Athletic. Knecht shot just 1 of 12 in against the Phoenix Suns, raising concerns about his trade value.
The Lakers had previously considered moving Knecht, but any offers this summer were deemed insufficient compared to his potential. “Anything the team possibly able to get for Knecht not worth giving up on the potential that’s still there,” Woike wrote.
Despite last season’s struggles, Knecht played 78 games, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 19.2 minutes per contest. His limited playoff experience included just two games, contributing 2.5 points per game.
The negative perception stems partly from Knecht’s shooting struggles, with scouts suggesting that the Lakers would need to attach additional assets to incentivize another team in a trade. His preseason performance has left many pessimistic about his immediate impact.
Knecht’s trade history has been complicated. On February 6, the Lakers agreed to send him, Cam Reddish, a future first-round pick, and a pick swap to Charlotte for Mark Williams. The deal collapsed two days later after Williams failed his physical.
The Lakers are now balancing Knecht’s potential against his current challenges. While his ceiling remains attractive, his short-term performance may limit trade options and affect how the front office structures future deals.
