Lakers Fans Bracing for Dalton Knecht Trade After News on Monday

The Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht is coming off an up-and-down rookie campaign where he averaged 9.1 points and shot 37.6 percent from three across 78 games. Selected 17th overall by the Lakers last year, Knecht showed flashes of promise but struggled for a consistent role down the stretch, as fluctuating minutes limited his impact throughout the season.

Trade speculation surrounding Knecht first surfaced at the deadline when the Lakers reportedly packaged him in a failed deal for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams in February. That move never materialized, but it signaled the front office’s willingness to include the rookie sharpshooter in talks.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht (4).

© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Now, the Lakers’ decision to sign Jake LaRavia in free agency has only fueled the idea that Knecht could be on his way out of LA.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin added more intrigue on Monday when he posted about the history between the two young wings. In a message on X, McMenamin said there could be "edgy training camp competition" between Knecht and LaRavia, given their history.

He was referring to a game during Knecht’s first NBA start in November when LaRavia, then with the Grizzlies, caught him with an elbow to the jaw.

However, given the news of LaRavia's arrival, Lakers fans are already bracing for Knecht's departure.

"Well, Knecht is getting traded," one fan wrote.

"Dalton won't be here lol that's why Jake is here now," another fan assured.

"Dalton's not going to be in training camp," a third fan echoed.

"No way dalton comes into the season on our team," another fan posted.

"Dave we trading Dalton," another fan added.

"Knecht should be gone by then," another fan said.