Lakers Exercise Contract Option for Dalton Knecht for 2026-27 Season
The Los Angeles Lakers have exercised the rookie-scale team option for Dalton Knecht for the 2026-27 season. This decision will see Knecht receive $4.2 million for the upcoming season. The news was first reported by Keith Smith of Spotrac and later corroborated by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Dalton Knecht’s Journey
Dalton Knecht was selected by the Lakers as the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. His selection followed a standout season where he earned the title of SEC Player of the Year while playing at the University of Tennessee.
Rookie Performance
- Games Played: 78
- Games Started: 16
- Points per Game: 9.1
- Rebounds per Game: 2.8
- Three-Pointers Made per Game: 1.6
- Shooting Percentage: 46.1% from the field, 37.6% from three-point range
During his rookie season, Knecht showcased his potential. He had an impressive seven games where he scored 20 points or more, including a personal best of 37 points against the Utah Jazz last November. His ability to score in crucial moments highlights his potential as a key contributor off the bench.
Trade Speculations and Future Outlook
Last season was eventful for Knecht. At one point, he was almost traded to the Charlotte Hornets as part of a deal involving center Mark Williams. However, the trade fell through after Williams failed a physical examination, which resulted in Knecht remaining a Laker.
This offseason, the Lakers addressed their center position by signing Deandre Ayton, allowing them to retain young talent like Knecht. With LeBron James sidelined for the initial weeks of the 2025-26 season due to sciatica, the pressure will be on other players, including Knecht, to enhance their scoring output.
Upcoming Season
The Lakers start their regular season against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. With key players out of the lineup, Knecht’s role may become increasingly critical as the team seeks to maintain performance during the early part of the season.
