Dalton Knecht of the Los Angeles Lakers has been involved in plenty of trade rumors lately. Of course, he was offered to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams in February, but he remained put when the trade was rescinded following Williams’ failed physical.
Knecht seems to have the potential to become an impact player. However, it seems unclear what his ceiling is at this point, and his floor does appear to be fairly low.
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Jovan Buha, a Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, feels that if Knecht is on the team’s roster when next season begins, he won’t get much playing time. He said during a recent episode of “Buha’s Block” that Knecht will still be on the edge of head coach JJ Redick’s rotation, and that as a result, he would be a good piece to give up for a more needed player.
“Basically, it comes down to the Lakers only have so many assets to trade, and Dalton Knecht I think at best next season is an eighth man and probably is an eighth, ninth man,” Buha said. “And when thinking about the Lakers trying to get a starting center or a starting wing, you need to give something up to get that player.”
Knecht showed his ability to be a lethal 3-point shooter this season as a rookie. He also flashed the ability to score adeptly from all three levels, and he’s good in transition, where he can either finish strong or even handle the basketball.
But his defense is suspect, and if his floor is that of a marginal player, then he is someone Lakers fans shouldn’t fall in love with too much.
Despite a couple of nasty, prolonged slumps, the University of Tennessee product averaged 9.1 points in 19.2 minutes a game while shooting 46.1% from the field and 37.6% from 3-point range this season.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Jovan Buha on Dalton Knecht’s place in Lakers’ rotation next year