Paul George Weighs in on Dalton Knecht’s ‘Blessing’ After Rescinded Lakers Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers never fail to stir up drama, and the 2024 trade deadline was no exception. Just when fans thought they’d seen it all, the franchise pulled off a move so wild that it had social media in flames: a trade, a rescinded trade, and a rookie left wondering if he was still wanted. But according to NBA veteran Paul George, Dalton Knecht should be thanking the basketball gods for his bizarre rollercoaster of an introduction to the league.

A Trade Deadline for the Ages

Let’s set the stage. The Lakers made headlines with their seismic trade that sent Anthony Davis packing to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic. That alone would have been enough to keep Lakers Twitter (X, whatever) buzzing for weeks. But the drama didn’t stop there. The team also attempted to ship rookie Dalton Knecht to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for big man Mark Williams, a move that, on paper, made perfect sense—especially since L.A. was still in desperate need of frontcourt help even before Davis’ departure.

But here’s where things took a turn that only the Lakers could script. Williams failed his physical. Yes, the player the Lakers traded for—presumably after at least glancing at his medical records—couldn’t even pass his physical. As a result, the trade was nullified, leaving Knecht in a weird limbo between “welcome back” and “whoops, our bad.”

While fans debated whether this was an organizational blunder or just plain bad luck, Paul George had a different perspective.

Paul George: “Knecht Should Be Grateful”

Paul George, the eight-time All-Star and current Philadelphia 76ers star, is no stranger to being the center of blockbuster trades. But instead of focusing on the potential awkwardness of being almost-traded, he views the failed deal as a gift.

“I actually like Dalton Knecht. He’s a weapon,” George said, brushing off any notion that Knecht should feel slighted. “You’re a rookie, appreciate your blessings for what it is. You’re playing for the most storied franchise in the NBA. Go out there and prove why you belong, why that was a bad decision.”

George even went a step further, suggesting Knecht should take it as a compliment: “And to be honest, take it as a compliment. You played so well, you had trade bait—there are teams out there that want you.”

That’s one way to look at it. Another way? Knecht was essentially told, “We’d rather have a guy with injury issues than keep you,” only to be told, “Never mind, you’re still our guy.” Awkward much?

Knecht: Unbothered and Ready to Prove Himself

To his credit, Knecht has taken the situation with remarkable maturity—something a lot of NBA rookies probably wouldn’t be able to pull off. He didn’t vent frustrations or take veiled shots at the front office. Instead, he kept it classy, focusing on what he’s gained from the whole experience.

“It’s strange. I’m one of the few people that’s ever been traded and then come back,” Knecht admitted. “I had AD, Bron, and now I’m with Luka and Bron. So, it’s crazy. I get to learn from a lot of greats.”

That’s an impressive level of perspective from a first-year player who just watched his name get thrown around like a poker chip at the trade deadline. Rather than sulk or let it shake his confidence, Knecht seems determined to make the most of his opportunity.

Was This a Blessing or a Blunder?

Let’s be honest: The Lakers’ front office doesn’t exactly have a spotless record when it comes to roster decisions. For every brilliant move, there’s a head-scratching one that makes fans wonder if they’re secretly trying to sabotage themselves. So, was this trade snafu just a case of bad luck, or did the Lakers dodge a bullet?

On one hand, trading for a legitimate 7-footer like Mark Williams made perfect sense. The Lakers have long needed size, and Williams is still young—ironically, he’s actually about eight months younger than Knecht despite being in his third NBA season. But the fact that he couldn’t pass his physical suggests that L.A. may have been better off sticking with Knecht all along.

Meanwhile, Knecht’s performance so far—averaging 9.4 points, three rebounds, and shooting 46% from the field—proves he has potential. Maybe not Luka Doncic or LeBron James-level potential, but enough to be a solid contributor. If he ends up thriving in L.A. and helps them win, this whole debacle could go down as one of the weirdest blessings in disguise in Lakers history.

The Narrative Moving Forward

The Lakers are a franchise that thrives on drama, and this storyline will only add to their long history of chaotic moments. How Knecht responds moving forward will shape the narrative. If he excels and becomes a reliable piece in the rotation, fans will look back at this failed trade and laugh. If he struggles, the whispers will grow louder: “Maybe they should have just found another big man.”

One thing is for sure—Knecht will have all the motivation in the world. Paul George’s words, whether they inspire or annoy him, hold weight. The young rookie now has an unexpected second chance to prove why the Lakers should have never even considered letting him go in the first place.

So, is Dalton Knecht lucky, or is he just stuck in the latest Lakers soap opera? Either way, the story isn’t over yet. And knowing L.A., there’s bound to be another plot twist waiting just around the corner.