Why is JJ Redick Being Criticized for Dalton Knecht’s Decline?

Just months ago, Dalton Knecht was the feel-good story of the Los Angeles Lakers’ season. Dubbed the “steal of the draft,” the rookie guard stunned fans and analysts alike with his fearless scoring outbursts, dropping 20- and 30-point games like an NBA Jam character on fire. But as the dust settles on the Lakers’ turbulent season, Knecht’s once-promising trajectory has hit a wall—and many are pointing fingers at head coach JJ Redick for mishandling the young star’s development.

Knecht’s early season fireworks: A glimpse of stardom

Knecht’s rookie campaign started like a Hollywood script. From highlight-reel three-pointers to fearless drives in crunch time, he briefly became the Lakers’ second-best offensive option behind LeBron James, especially during Anthony Davis’ frequent absences. Lakers Nation fell head over heels for the rookie, flooding social media with comparisons to Austin Reaves and even early-career Devin Booker.

The praise wasn’t limited to the fans. Even LeBron James himself threw subtle shade at rival GMs who passed on Knecht, implying that the Lakers had found a diamond in the rough.

But like all Hollywood stories, reality came crashing down.

Defenses adjusted, and Knecht had no answer

By February, the scouting reports caught up. Opposing defenses started to pressure Knecht off the dribble, expose his limited shot creation, and target him mercilessly on switches. Suddenly, his offensive bag looked far less deep than it did in December.

As Lakers insider Allen Sliwa bluntly put it:

“Dalton Knecht was selling… Teams made adjustments, and suddenly, he wasn’t the same player.“

On defense, he became a liability. Opponents hunted him like Duncan Robinson in the playoffs, forcing JJ Redick to make tough rotation choices. Redick, known for emphasizing defensive effort, reportedly grew frustrated with Knecht’s inability to stay locked in on that end.

Trade rumors and the mental toll

Knecht’s struggles were compounded by the Lakers’ front office drama. At the NBA trade deadline, his name surfaced in the failed Mark Williams trade talks with the Charlotte Hornets. Although the trade didn’t materialize, the message was clear: Knecht was expendable.

The psychological impact was visible. Knecht’s confidence vanished. In post-game interviews, he admitted:

“Took a while for me to get going, I mean I didn’t get going at all… gotta come out with more confidence, shake off the rust.”

But confidence is hard to rebuild when your team openly shops you around the league.

Summer League disappointment: A new low point

In the Lakers’ Summer League opener, Knecht looked like a shell of his former self. While Cole Swider and Darius Bazley impressed, and Bronny James held his own, Knecht drifted around the court like a player unsure of his role. Laker fans, once ecstatic about his potential, began questioning if he was just a flash in the pan.

JJ Redick’s coaching style under fire

Redick, in his first year as head coach, has been praised for his basketball IQ but criticized for his player management. Some insiders argue that Redick’s quick hook with Knecht stifled the rookie’s confidence. Sliwa speculated:

“If he’s not defending, maybe JJ Redick is taking him out.“

Rather than giving Knecht room to work through mistakes, Redick prioritized defensive versatility and veteran reliability—decisions that may have hampered the rookie’s growth.

Trade winds swirling: Is a Lakers exit imminent?

Multiple reports now indicate that the Lakers front office, led by Rob Pelinka, are actively exploring trade scenarios involving Knecht. According to Sports Illustrated, one proposed three-team deal would send Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, and a pick swap to the Bulls, with the Lakers receiving Jalen Smith and Jevon Carter in return.

The rationale? The Lakers are reportedly looking for players who fit better around their new-look core featuring Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, and the recently acquired Deandre Ayton. Knecht, once seen as a building block, now looks more like a trade asset.

Sliwa’s verdict: Time for a fresh start

Sliwa summed up the growing sentiment:

“Doesn’t it just feel like Dalton Knecht needs a fresh start on another team where he can just be himself?“

He floated several rebuilding franchises—the Hornets, the Kings, the Suns—as potential landing spots where Knecht could rediscover his rhythm away from the bright lights of L.A.

Even The Athletic’s Jovan Buha suggested that Knecht’s role in L.A. had diminished:

“Dalton Knecht… is an eighth, ninth man.“

If the Lakers want to land a starting-caliber player, Knecht is one of the few appealing trade chips they possess.

Lakers already traded him once… unofficially

As Brian Windhorst cryptically pointed out,

“The Lakers have already traded him once.“

This refers to the failed deal with the Hornets. For a player to be included in serious trade talks mid-season, then iced out of the playoff rotation, speaks volumes about how the franchise views his long-term fit.

Is Dalton Knecht a victim of bad timing?

Knecht’s rookie season may have simply collided with a franchise in transition. The Lakers are not in a rebuilding phase; they’re in win-now mode, constructing a roster around Luka Doncic’s MVP window and the final championship runs of LeBron and AD.

In that context, waiting for Knecht to develop his defensive game and expand his offensive bag doesn’t fit the Lakers’ timeline.

Still, the talent remains

Despite the setbacks, Dalton Knecht can still shoot. His mechanics are smooth, his release is quick, and when confident, he’s capable of torching defenses from deep. The question is whether he’ll be allowed to rediscover that confidence on an NBA court—or if his next shot will come in a different jersey.

What could a fresh start look like?

A move to a young team like the Hornets could give Knecht the green light to play through mistakes and regain his swagger. With fewer expectations and more offensive freedom, he could thrive as a volume scorer, much like Jordan Clarkson did after leaving the Lakers years ago.

In a best-case scenario, Knecht could emerge as an 18 PPG scorer in a contract year, cashing in on the potential that once had Lakers fans chanting his name at Crypto.com Arena.

The road ahead: Decision time for Rob Pelinka

The Lakers’ front office faces a dilemma. Do they hold onto Knecht as a developmental project, or cash in now while his trade value still has some shine? With the 2026 roster shaping up around Luka, Ayton, and whatever wing or center they can acquire, every roster spot counts.

Final verdict: The Lakers’ loss could be another team’s gain

Whether Dalton Knecht remains a Laker past July 7th remains to be seen, but the writing appears to be on the wall. His time in Los Angeles feels less like the beginning of a star’s rise and more like an unfinished mixtape—full of promise, but incomplete.

Knecht may yet rewrite his story elsewhere. A new system, a new coach, and a new locker room could be all it takes to reignite the spark that electrified Lakers fans last winter.

But in Los Angeles, the window is closing fast. The Lakers aren’t waiting for him to figure it out. They’re moving forward—with or without him.