{"id":701449,"date":"2026-04-06T14:45:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T14:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/701449\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T14:45:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T14:45:26","slug":"the-los-angeles-lakers-made-the-dumbest-decision-with-former-tennessee-guard-dalton-knecht-and-theyre-getting-roasted-for-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/701449\/","title":{"rendered":"The Los Angeles Lakers made the dumbest decision with former Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht and they’re getting roasted for it"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Lakers don\u2019t have a clue what they\u2019re doing with former Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht. Los Angeles has essentially set Knecht\u2019s career back with the way they\u2019ve handled him.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Tennessee
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJeff Hanisch-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

I truly believed that former Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht received some positive news about his NBA career this past weekend<\/a>. <\/p>\n

But I was apparently wrong. Very wrong. <\/p>\n

Knecht has received uneven playing time through his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Vol, however, appeared to be in line for some extended action to end the regular season after he was recalled from the G League following injuries to forward Luka Doncic and guard Austin Reaves. <\/p>\n

But unfortunately for Knecht, the Lakers called him up just so he could watch the game from the bench. <\/p>\n

Dalton Knecht doesn\u2019t play against the Dallas Mavericks after getting recalled by the Los Angeles Lakers<\/p>\n

Knecht played zero minutes on Sunday night in the Lakers\u2019 134-128 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. <\/p>\n

the Lakers need a shooter, wont play Dalton Knecht. The Lakers need an athletic 3-D guy, wont play Adou Theiro. wtf is going on and why dont give these kids a chance to prove they can hoop?<\/p>\n

\u2014 L\u1d07\u1d20xT\u1d22\u028f (@lvxtzy) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Dalton Knecht must\u2019ve committed a heinous crime against JJ Redick to not even get minutes in this current rotation<\/p>\n

\u2014 Beaux (@3kConner) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The decision to call up Knecht just to leave him on the bench for the entire game had fans perplexed. It was an especially odd decision considering the Lakers\u2019 G League team was playing in the semi-finals of the G League playoffs on Sunday. <\/p>\n

The South Bay Lakers were eliminated by the Stockton Kings via a 101-97 loss. <\/p>\n

This is JJ’s fault. <\/p>\n

Lakers recalled Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith, Adou Thiero, and Kobe Bufkin. Pretty much the best players, and JJ didn’t even play them. He sabotaged the G League team. https:\/\/t.co\/PSOzKBfUtH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Devin \u2600\ufe0f (@DevDock) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any question that the G League Lakers could\u2019ve used Knecht on Sunday against the Kings. And while I\u2019m sure winning the G League isn\u2019t the Lakers\u2019 top priority, it still makes no sense why they\u2019d call Knecht up and leave him on the bench instead of letting him play in the semi-finals. <\/p>\n

At this point, Knecht needs to call up Kurt Russell and figure out how he can escape from LA. <\/p>\n

Because it\u2019s clear that Lakers head coach JJ Redick has no plans to give Knecht a fair shot to play his game. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Tennessee\t\t<\/p>\n

Tennessee Volunteers News<\/p>\n

The Tennessee Vols, like most programs this time of year, have had some ups and downs during spring practice. The Vols\u2019 offense, specifically, has lagged behind the defense a bit as the Vols\u2019 quarterback competition continues.<\/p>\n