The NBA All-Star Break is almost over, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to focus on the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season.
Things are looking promising for the Lakers, who are heading into the final stretch with a 32-20 record — good for fifth place in the Western Conference. The rest of the regular season and playoffs is an important time for players to prove themselves, especially when their future with a franchise is up in the air.
While several Lakers' futures in L.A. are more than secure, one specific player must step up if he wants to keep his job next season and beyond.
Lakers News: Dalton Knecht Playing for Job Following All-Star Break
The last few weeks have been rough on Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht. The 23-year-old guard was on his way to being moved to Charlotte, NC before the trade deadline only for the deal to be rescinded once Hornets center Mark Williams failed his physical.
Needless to say, it's since been an awkward time for Knecht, who's openly admitted that the failed trade was "hard" to deal with. The former Tennessee Volunteer missed three consecutive games before returning to the Lakers' lineup on Feb. 12, scoring 10 points on 42.9% shooting in a 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz.
But just because Knecht is back in the City of Angels doesn't mean he's here to stay.
Considering how the Lakers already tried to trade him once, there's a chance they may look to move him again this offseason. General manager Rob Pelinka will be looking to surround Luka Doncic and LeBron James with as much talent as possible and could dangle the 2024 first-round pick as a potential trade piece.
If Knecht wants to avoid being involved in more trade rumors, he must prove to head coach JJ Redick that he's irreplaceable. Although the Fargo, ND native is playing well offensive (9.4 PPG, 36.0% shooting on 4.5 three-pointers attempted), his lackluster defense is a constant source of frustration among Lakers fans — especially when fellow backcourt-mates Doncic and Austin Reaves are far from the soundest defenders.
As important as three-point shooting today, one-dimensional players don't help win championships. Whether it's improving his defensive play or adding extra playmaking moves to his bag, Knecht must find a way to prove that he deserves a role in Redick's lineup before it's too late.
At the end of the day, turning things around would not only help Knecht save his job but also improve his team's championship outlook. For now, the Lakers will head into the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season with the sixth-best NBA Finals odds (+1800) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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