Lakers' Dalton Knecht non-stop trade rumors have only one final outcome

Lakers' Dalton Knecht non-stop trade rumors have only one final outcome originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>Dalton Knecht seemed like he could develop into an NBA star with the Los Angeles Lakers.

>Instead, he has spent most of his time in the league involved in trade rumors.

>In fact, Knecht was already traded once -- but the Mark Williams deal didn't go through due to a failed physical.

>Can a player ever really come back from an agreed-upon trade that doesn't go all the way through?

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>Knecht hasn't yet proven to be able to.

>He has the skillset that's supposed to work in the modern NBA. On paper, Knecht is an incredible 3-point shooter. He's also a sneaky-impressive athlete who can rise up to the rim.

>The Lakers, though, haven't found a way to use him.

>Could he get more action in 2026-27 with Rui Hachimura hitting free agency? Maybe.

>Is it hard to break through on the perimeter for a team that already has Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves? Definitely.

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>It feels like every time one of those trade speculation articles comes out, Knecht's name is involved.

>That can't be easy for a young player, either. Surely, all Knecht wants to do is elevate into a starting-level NBA player.

>It hasn't happened yet, though. And if it keeps going this way, the only real outcome is Knecht getting traded, whether it's now or later.

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