BLOCKBUSTER BEFORE THE DRAFT: Lakers Unexpectedly Sacrifice Dalton Knecht to Acquire DUKE YOUNG STAR

Dalton Knecht, the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick, entered the league with high expectations following an impressive college career at Tennessee. Early in his rookie season, Knecht showed flashes of offensive brilliance, quickly earning rotational minutes and praise for his ability to score from all three levels.

However, the momentum of his debut season in Los Angeles stalled following a bizarre sequence at the NBA trade deadline. Knecht was included in a trade package that sent him to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for big man Mark Williams. That deal, ultimately rescinded due to medical concerns, derailed Knecht’s trajectory.

After the failed trade, his role diminished sharply. Knecht became an afterthought in the Lakers’ postseason rotation, and his production fell off during the second half of the season. Despite these setbacks, Knecht’s value remains intact, particularly due to his perimeter shooting, scoring upside, and potential to contribute in a faster-paced, spread-out offense.

Lakers Eye Major Draft Leap with Dalton Knecht Trade Proposal

Heading into the 2025 NBA Draft, the Lakers find themselves with only the No. 55 pick, hardly a position to land a difference-maker. But a recent proposed three-team trade, outlined by Lakers Nation’s Trevor Lane, offers a possible solution—and a tantalizing one at that.

The proposed trade would unfold as follows:

• Portland Trail Blazers receive: Dalton Knecht + Brooklyn’s top-4 protected 2027 first-round pick

• Brooklyn Nets receive: No. 11 pick from Portland + Lakers’ unprotected 2031 first-round pick

• Los Angeles Lakers receive: No. 8 pick and No. 36 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

This move would give the Lakers a massive upgrade in draft positioning—opening the door for them to select a top-tier prospect in a class considered rich with frontcourt talent.

Khaman Maluach: The Lakers’ Dream Target at No. 8

If the Lakers pull off this ambitious trade, all signs point to them targeting Khaman Maluach, the 7-foot-2 freshman center from Duke who has rapidly climbed draft boards.

A defensive juggernaut and polished rim-runner, Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game during his lone season at Duke. His 71.2% shooting from the field and surprising 76.6% free-throw percentage offer tantalizing evidence of a big man who could evolve into a modern NBA two-way center.

Most notably, Maluach’s length and mobility allow him to anchor a defense while still being switchable on the perimeter—a crucial trait for contending teams in today’s pace-and-space NBA.

“He fits perfectly alongside Luka Doncic,” an anonymous league scout told Athlon Sports. “He can defend the paint, roll hard to the rim, and doesn’t need the ball to impact the game.”

Duke’s Draft Dominance: Three Freshmen Projected in the Lottery

Duke University continues its reign as a factory for NBA-ready talent. In the 2025 class, the Blue Devils are expected to have three freshmen selected in the top 14:

• Cooper Flagg – Projected No. 1 overall pick, likely to land with the Dallas Mavericks

• Khaman Maluach – A top-10 lock with superstar potential

• Kon Knueppel – A skilled guard/forward hybrid expected to go in the lottery

This rare trio has scouts buzzing, with Maluach seen as the most NBA-ready big man of the group, especially when it comes to defending in high-leverage moments.

Why the Lakers Would Take the Risk

Trading up from No. 55 to No. 8 would require the Lakers to part with real assets—and Dalton Knecht plus a valuable future pick certainly qualifies. But with LeBron James’ future uncertain and the team pivoting to a Luka Doncic-led core, adding a young, defensively dominant big man makes strategic sense.

The Lakers’ roster lacks size and rim protection, and Anthony Davis, while elite, often carries a heavy burden defensively. Khaman Maluach would offer Davis relief on the interior, and potentially allow the Lakers to keep Davis fresher throughout the season.

Furthermore, pairing a lob-threat center like Maluach with Luka Doncic, one of the best pick-and-roll ball handlers in the game, could be a deadly combination for years to come.

“Khaman reminds me of a young Jaren Jackson Jr., with a better feel for spacing and verticality,” said an anonymous Western Conference scout.

How the Trade Helps the Other Teams Involved

While the Lakers would likely be the biggest short-term beneficiaries of the trade, Portland and Brooklyn also stand to gain based on their respective timelines:

• Portland Trail Blazers are in full rebuild mode and have a crowded frontcourt with Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, and Kris Murray. Adding Dalton Knecht, a young scoring wing, and a top-4 protected 2027 pick could accelerate their timeline or be flipped again for more draft capital.

• Brooklyn Nets get an unprotected 2031 pick, which could be extremely valuable if the Lakers falter in the future. They also move up slightly from 11 to 8, giving them more flexibility to draft or move the pick for a proven player.

Concerns and Risks: Is Maluach Worth It?

While Khaman Maluach’s upside is undeniable, there are still areas of concern that make the trade a gamble:

• Offensive Development: Though efficient, Maluach averaged under 9 points per game at Duke. Scouts question whether he can develop a post game or stretch his shooting range to the perimeter.

• Physical Maturity: At just 19 years old, Maluach is still filling out his frame. Will he be ready to bang in the paint against stronger NBA veterans?

• Consistency: Like many young bigs, Maluach occasionally disappeared in games, particularly when Duke’s offense ran through the guards.

For the Lakers, who are in win-now mode with Luka Doncic, these are significant factors. But the chance to land a potential defensive anchor and vertical lob threat on a rookie-scale contract is extremely appealing.

Lakers Fans React: Risky or Revolutionary?

Reaction among Lakers Nation has been mixed.

Some fans are excited at the idea of landing a top-10 pick and believe moving on from Knecht makes sense after his uncertain rookie season. Others feel it’s too early to give up on a player who showed so much promise in the first half of the season.

“If we land Maluach and he turns into Tyson Chandler 2.0, we win the deal easily,” one fan wrote on Reddit.

“Trading Knecht already? This feels premature,” tweeted another.

The truth likely lies somewhere in between. It’s a calculated risk, but one the Lakers might be willing to take as they attempt to maximize the prime years of Luka Doncic.

The Future: Lakers Building the Next Contender?

Whether or not the trade goes through, this proposal shows how aggressive the Lakers front office is willing to be in order to build around their new franchise cornerstone.

Khaman Maluach represents the type of long-term piece that championship teams are built on: size, efficiency, defense, and upside.

If the Lakers successfully complete this deal and Maluach develops as projected, it could mark the beginning of the next great Lakers era—this time with Doncic and Maluach as the dynamic duo.