Dalton Knecht experienced a chaotic week. Initially, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Dalton Knecht to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams at the trade deadline. However, the trade was rescinded when the Lakers discovered chronic health concerns with Williams. This reversal sent him back to the Lakers, where he quickly returned to action, scoring 10 points on 3-for-7 shooting in a loss to the Utah Jazz.
Dalton Knecht Could Have Blossomed On The Hornets
Despite the uncertainty, Knecht remained level-headed. He expressed no resentment toward the Lakers’ front office and focused solely on playing basketball.
“I just want to go hoop,” Knecht told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I get it’s a business, so at the end of the day, I told them, ‘Let’s just go play basketball.’”
Knecht traveled to Charlotte, prepared to join the Hornets, only for the trade to be canceled before his debut. After returning to Los Angeles, he met with head coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka. His immediate response? To compete hard, no matter where he played.
Knecht’s Role on the Lakers
Knecht has shown promise in his rookie season. Through 49 games, he is averaging 9.4 points per game while shooting 36% from beyond the arc. His shooting has been inconsistent at times, but he bounced back in the new year after a dreadful December.
In December, he shot just 15.6% from three on 3.5 attempts per game. However, he turned things around in January, hitting 36.8% on 4.1 attempts. This swing suggests he might be a streaky shooter, similar to LeBron James, who has had fluctuating three-point accuracy throughout his career. More likely, Knecht simply hit the rookie wall and pushed through it.
Some even advocated for him to spend time in the G League, similar to Reed Sheppard on the Houston Rockets, to rebuild confidence. However, the Lakers stuck with him, recognizing his value—especially in lineups featuring defensive-minded players like Jarred Vanderbilt.
How the Hornets Could Have Used Dalton Knecht
One major question remains: how would Knecht have fit in Charlotte? The Hornets would have highly valued his floor spacing. Given their roster, he might have earned a starting spot over Tre Mann.
Playing alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, Knecht would have had more open three-point opportunities. New Hornets head coach Charles Lee prefers ball movement and a fast pace to generate open looks. That system could have been perfect for Knecht, who has performed better as a starter.
In 12 games as a starter, Knecht has averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.8 steals while shooting 47.5% from the field and 39.3% from deep. His free throw percentage appears skewed because of low volume—he made just 7 of 11 free throws as a starter. However, off the bench, he has hit 85.4% on 48 attempts, proving he has a reliable stroke.
His stats resemble those of a solid fourth or fifth option on a playoff team. The Hornets, in desperate need of shooting and offensive efficiency, could have benefited from his presence.
Hornets’ Pace and Dalton Knecht’s Potential Fit
Charlotte has struggled with pace this season, ranking 24th in the league. However, when healthy, they have played faster. In October, they ranked 16th in pace and went 2-2 with a -0.2 net rating. In January, they ranked 17th, posting a 5-8 record with a -1.1 net rating.
In contrast, when they slowed down, their performance declined. In November, they finished in the 20s in pace and had a –5.8 net rating. In December, they ranked even lower in pace and posted a dreadful –9.9 net rating.
They clearly want to play faster. A faster system could have helped Knecht thrive. With more transition opportunities and open shots, he might have accelerated his development. The film shows a Hornets team that fluidly finds the open shooter by silky smooth passing off kickouts from drives. LaMelo and Miller would bring out the best of Knecht.
What’s Next for Knecht?
With the trade voided, Knecht must now find his role in Los Angeles, especially as Luka Dončić becomes more comfortable with the Lakers. The playoff rotation remains uncertain, and Knecht will need to prove himself to secure a spot.
His future remains bright, but the Hornets might look back and wonder if they missed out on a potential gem.
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