Dalton Knecht Turning Into the Lakers’ Biggest Draft Disappointment

When the Los Angeles Lakers selected Dalton Knecht with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, fans believed they had found an immediate-impact wing who could provide shooting, size, and maturity after five years of college basketball. The Lakers were not drafting a teenager who needed years of development—they were betting on a 23-year-old polished scorer who could contribute right away. Unfortunately, less than two years into his NBA journey, Knecht is rapidly drifting toward the dreaded label of draft bust, and his time to prove he belongs in the league is running out.

A Rocky Rookie Campaign

Knecht’s first year in the NBA offered a glimpse of promise. His shooting stroke translated well in stretches, and he showcased the ability to space the floor alongside superstars. However, consistency was an issue. The Lakers briefly included him in a trade to the Charlotte Hornets, a deal that was later rescinded, but the damage was done. Knecht struggled to find rhythm and confidence after the trade saga, and his minutes dwindled as the Lakers shifted toward veteran options in their playoff push.

While his rookie season wasn’t a total disaster, the concern was that a player already entering his mid-20s should be more NBA-ready. Instead, Knecht looked like another developmental project, which contradicted the Lakers’ immediate win-now timeline as they aimed to build around Luka Doncic.

Summer League Disaster Raises Red Flags

The 2025 NBA Summer League was expected to be Knecht’s opportunity to shine. With a full year of professional basketball under his belt, he had the experience advantage over most of his peers. Instead, he delivered one of the most disappointing performances of the tournament.

Knecht shot just 23.7 percent from three-point range, an alarming number for a player whose biggest selling point was his perimeter shooting. He compounded his struggles with a negative assist-to-turnover ratio, poor decision-making, and glaring lapses on the defensive end. Scouts noted that he often looked lost when navigating rotations and pick-and-roll coverages.

Defense had been the primary red flag entering the draft, and the summer league only reinforced those concerns. If Knecht can’t defend his position and isn’t knocking down shots efficiently, his path to meaningful NBA minutes becomes almost impossible.

Fit Issues in Los Angeles

The Lakers entered this offseason determined to bolster their roster around Luka Doncic, and their moves only added more pressure on Knecht. The signings of Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia directly cut into Knecht’s potential minutes. Both players bring defensive intensity and versatility—qualities Knecht simply does not possess right now.

For the Lakers, who are firmly in championship-or-bust mode, every roster spot matters. They cannot afford to give extended opportunities to a player still finding his footing. This dynamic leaves Knecht in a difficult position: he must dramatically improve in training camp and the early part of the season, or he risks sliding completely out of the rotation.

Trade Value Plummeting

One of the more damning signs of Knecht’s decline is his diminishing trade value. According to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, Knecht’s market worth has dropped to roughly two second-round picks. That is a devastating fall for a player taken just outside the lottery one year earlier.

Teams around the league have seen enough to hesitate on investing in Knecht’s potential. His age works against him—he turned 24 in April, and unlike younger prospects, his developmental ceiling is much lower. If he isn’t already showing signs of being a reliable two-way contributor, there’s little optimism that he’ll suddenly transform into one.

Why Knecht Is Struggling

Breaking down Knecht’s struggles, the issues extend beyond poor shooting percentages. His defense is a liability, often putting his team in difficult positions. He lacks lateral quickness to guard faster wings, and his awareness on rotations is inconsistent.

Offensively, Knecht hasn’t shown the ability to do much outside of spot-up shooting. He rarely creates off the dribble, doesn’t make advanced reads as a passer, and isn’t a strong finisher around the rim. Essentially, if his three-point shot isn’t falling, he offers little else.

This limited skill set might work on a rebuilding team willing to experiment, but on a contending roster like the Lakers, it is exposed quickly.

A Make-or-Break Season

The 2025–26 season is shaping up to be Knecht’s last chance to prove he belongs with the Lakers—or even in the NBA. The Lakers desperately need shooting around Luka Doncic, and Knecht still has one elite skill to offer if he can regain confidence. But for him to earn and keep a rotation spot, he must improve defensively, limit turnovers, and show more versatility in his offensive game.

The pressure is immense. With the Lakers eyeing a championship, patience is thin. Knecht doesn’t have two or three more years to figure it out. He must make an impact now.

Bust Status Looming

While it may be premature to officially call Dalton Knecht a draft bust, the signs are pointing in that direction. First-round picks are expected to either become cornerstone players or at least reliable contributors, especially those drafted at his age. Knecht has yet to secure either label, and time is not on his side.

If he cannot earn minutes on a contending Lakers team, his value will continue to plummet. Eventually, the Lakers might be forced to package him in a trade for minimal return, officially cementing him as one of the bigger disappointments in recent draft memory.

Final Thoughts

Dalton Knecht entered the NBA with the promise of being a plug-and-play wing who could contribute immediately with shooting and experience. Instead, he has become a question mark for a team that cannot afford uncertainty. His summer league collapse, defensive flaws, and lack of versatility have pushed him to the edge of bust status.

This season will determine his future. Knecht must seize the opportunity, refine his game, and prove that he belongs in the NBA. Otherwise, the Lakers’ gamble on the 17th pick in 2024 will go down as a costly mistake in their pursuit of another championship.