After a considerably noteworthy rookie campaign, Los Angeles Lakers small forward Dalton Knecht saw his role in head coach JJ Redick’s rotation decrease this season. The former No. 17 overall pick averaged 9.1 points and 1.6 triples in 19.2 minutes per game in 2024-25.
This season, he’s been in and out of the rotation, managing just 13.3 minutes in 26 appearances. In L.A.’s last three games, Knecht played just 12 minutes in total.
On Friday, ahead of the Lakers’ matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, Redick made an announcement about Knecht’s status moving forward. As it turns out, the 24-year-old will now get a chance to prove his worth to the team. The Lakers are 20-11 heading into Friday’s game. They are coming off a 128-106 blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons, which marked their fourth defeat in their last five games.
L.A. struggled from three-point territory against the Pistons, connecting on just 28.2% of their attempts from deep. This has been the trend for the Lakers of late, which has led Reddick to turn to Knecht for some firepower.
According to Redick, Knecht will “get a look” in Friday’s game against the Grizzlies, per reporter Mark Medina. The Lakers coach also revealed that this will be the case for Knecht “in the foreseeable future” with the objective of boosting the team’s three-point shooting.
Redick added that more than Knecht’s efficiency from deep, the second-year forward will be evaluated with his effort and his ability to “play hard.”
Knecht, who has logged multiple healthy DNPs this season and has also spent time in the NBA G League with the South Bay Lakers, will now get an opportunity to show Redick and the rest of the squad what he can do. Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura all remain out for L.A., which is something Knecht can take advantage of.
After Friday’s home game, the Lakers will be back in action on Sunday in a rematch with the Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena.
