The Los Angeles Lakers have made an impressive start to the 2025-26 NBA season. Standing out as one of the best offensive units in the league, they have shone as one of the best teams in the NBA.
Despite this, some of their players have experienced ups and downs as the team seeks to address those issues. And following their latest win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, the franchise has made a roster decision involving Dalton Knecht and Adou Thiero ahead of their game against the Utah Jazz.
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Lakers’ Decision Involving Dalton Knecht and Adou Thiero
The Lakers boast a superstar core featuring Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. Going deeper into the roster, they have the likes of Knecht and Thiero.
Los Angeles has decided to make moves involving its G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, according to reporter Dan Woike. They assigned both Knecht and Thiero there, looking to give them changes of pace at that level.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned guard Dalton Knecht and forward Adou Thiero to the South Bay Lakers. I believe its Knecht’s first assignment this year,” Woike wrote.
Knecht is progressing through the second season of his career, while Thiero is adapting to the professional level as a rookie. Knecht showed flashes off the bench with averages of 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in 78 contests last season.
However, his activity on the court declined during this campaign. He made 20 appearances but is averaging 15 minutes per game, four minutes less than what he had as a rookie. While his shooting splits remain similar, his overall production has taken a hit (6.4 PPG and 1.9 RPG), indicating a need for him to have some time in the G-League.
Thiero has had a reserve role with the Lakers to start the season. He has nine appearances so far, mainly taking the court during blowouts or when injuries are keeping key players on the sidelines.
What’s Next for the Lakers After Assigning Knecht
The Lakers will take the necessary steps to give Knecht and Thiero the proper development they need to be effective players in the rotation.
This would undoubtedly be the case for Knecht, who can be a two-way standout with his solid ability to shoot from beyond the arc. Two seasons into his career, he is averaging 8.5 points and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 46.3% from the field, including 37.4% from downtown.
In the meantime, Los Angeles will look forward to maintaining its strong start to the campaign. The team boasts an 18-7 record on the season, sitting at fourth place in the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, they are behind the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets. They have a tie with the San Antonio Spurs for the spot.
The Lakers will gear up for their next matchup, which takes place on the road. They face the Jazz on Dec. 18 with tip-off set for 9 p.m. ET.