Lakers Send Former First Round Pick To G-League

The Lakers have assigned second-year forward Dalton Knecht to the South Bay Lakers, and while some might see this as a demotion, it's actually a smart move.

Knecht, the 17th pick in last year's draft, has shown flashes of his scoring ability in limited NBA minutes. But here's the reality: sitting on an NBA bench watching isn't how young players develop. The G-League gives Knecht something he desperately needs right now: actual game reps.

In South Bay, Knecht can play 30+ minutes, work through mistakes without the pressure of the main roster, and refine his game against legitimate competition. He can experiment with his shot selection, get comfortable creating his own offense, and develop the defensive consistency the Lakers need from him.

For the Lakers, this move is about long-term investment. While the Lakers may still believe in Knecht's potential as a scorer and floor spacer, they're not in a position to give him inconsistent minutes while fighting for seeding in the tough Western Conference standings. After appearing in 78 games last season, averaging 19 minutes mainly off the bench and averaging 9.1 points with shooting percentage splits of 59/37/76, Knecht has seen his numbers drop across the board.

After a season in which he tied a rookie record, making nine three-pointers as part of a 37-point effort, things have changed dramatically for Knecht, including being part of a rescinded trade with the Charlotte Hornets that likely played with his confidence. Following an offseason of trade rumors and being linked to current ones that might bring back a usable piece, the writing seems to be on the wall for the former Tennessee Volunteer, who once had teammate LeBron James excited about his addition to the roster.

The key question: Can Knecht dominate at the G-League level and force his way back into JJ Redick's rotation? If he finds his touch in the G-League and returns with confidence and rhythm, this could be a turning point in his sophomore season.

The worst-case scenario isn't this assignment; it's wasting a first-round pick's development by keeping him glued to the bench. At least now, Knecht's getting the reps he needs to potentially become a rotation piece for a Lakers team that desperately needs young, affordable scoring or someone who has value on the trade market.