NBA Scouts Reportedly Now See A Top Lakers Prospect As A 'Negative Asset'

The Los Angeles Lakers attempted to trade for Dalton Knecht a season ago, but the deal was called off due to some physical complications. The team would land Luka Doncic, however, and now, in what may be the final year of LeBron James’ career, the team is looking to go all-in for a title in the loaded Western Conference.

What that means is that the team is likely looking to use pieces like Knecht and draft picks to improve their roster, but that may not be so easy anymore. According to a report from Dan Woike of The Athletic, Knecht’s value around the NBA right now is seen as “negative,” meaning that to move him, the Lakers would need to attach an asset rather than get one back.

“The Lakers didn’t move Knecht this summer, with anything the team possibly able to get for Knecht not worth giving up on the potential that’s still there. But after a rough preseason debut where he shot 1 of 12, scouts left Palm Desert as pessimistic as ever, one even calling Knecht a ‘negative asset,’ meaning the Lakers would need to attach pieces to incentivize a team in a trade.”

In his one season with the Lakers, the 24-year-old averaged 9 points and three rebounds per game. While he still has potential, he’s not the top asset that LA expected, and now, moving him has become a lot more difficult than it was during last season.