The Los Angeles Lakers have underperformed relative to expectations this season. While they currently sit fifth in the Western Conference standings, Los Angeles isn’t viewed as a legitimate championship contender.
With the Feb. 5Â trade deadline approaching, the Lakers have a clear opportunity to upgrade their roster, particularly on defense. According to one NBA insider, the Lakers could look to leverage a former first-round pick already on the roster as a trade chip, with the belief that a deal involving that player is increasingly likely.
NBA Insider Believes Lakers Likely To Trade Former First-Round Pick
The Lakers’ defense has emerged as a major concern this season. Ranked 25th in the league, it’s not the profile of a team built to contend for an NBA championship. With the Feb. 5Â trade deadline approaching, Los Angeles appears poised to explore upgrades, and one young player on the roster could become a key trade chip.
Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ former first-round pick, is viewed by league insiders as a likely trade candidate. Marc Stein of The Stein Line recently suggested that Knecht could be on the move ahead of the deadline.
“Another player to watch in terms of possible fresh starts is the Lakers’ Dalton Knecht, who was traded to Charlotte a year ago before being forced to return to LA when the purple and gold rescinded its deal to acquire Mark Williams from the Hornets,” Stein wrote.
Knecht was selected 17th overall by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft, but his path in Los Angeles has been far from smooth. At last year’s trade deadline, the Lakers shipped him along with Cam Reddish, a future pick swap, and their 2031 first-rounder to the Charlotte Hornets for big man Mark Williams. But that deal fell apart when Williams reportedly failed his physical, sending Knecht back to Los Angeles before he could unpack.
That experience, as messy as it was, left him fighting for a place on a team suddenly rich with wings and guards. The Lakers added Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and a healthy Jarred Vanderbilt, crowding the rotation and raising the pressure on Knecht to carve out his role.
Knecht averaged 19.2 minutes per game last season, posting 9.1 points per contest, but his role has diminished significantly this year, averaging just 4.8 points per game in 12.5 minutes.
While there was optimism that head coach JJ Redick’s emphasis on player development could help Knecht take a step forward, that growth has yet to materialize. Though his movement, shooting, and floor spacing remain intriguing, a fresh start may benefit both the player and the organization.
The Lakers have been linked to several potential trade targets, including Jonathan Kuminga and Herb Jones. Either move could involve Knecht as the centerpiece, potentially alongside draft compensation or another rotational player such as Vanderbilt, as Los Angeles looks to address its defensive shortcomings before the deadline.
