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Lakers’ Dalton Knecht and head coach JJ Redick during a game against the Clippers in February 2025
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has offered clarity on Dalton Knecht’s role moving forward, signaling a renewed opportunity for the former first-round pick as the team continues to search for stability and production from its bench.
Knecht’s early NBA journey has been uneven. Selected 17th overall in the 2024 draft, he entered the league with expectations that his shooting would translate quickly.
Instead, his confidence appeared rattled following the rescinded trade with the Charlotte Hornets last season, and his offensive rhythm has never fully recovered.
With the Lakers struggling to generate consistent bench scoring, Redick and the front office are increasingly motivated to evaluate internal options before looking elsewhere.
Knecht sits firmly within that group, but the pressure is mounting. For him, this represents a pivotal moment in a season where he has yet to find a firm footing.
Lakers Reopen the Door for Dalton Knecht
Ahead of last Friday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, Redick confirmed that Knecht would be reinserted into the rotation after recently falling out of it.
“Yeah, Dalton will get a look tonight and he’ll get a look for the foreseeable future,” Redick said, via Lakers Nation.
While an offensive spark would be welcome, Redick has made it clear that Knecht’s minutes moving forward will be dictated by effort and impact rather than shot making alone.
The emphasis is on playing hard at both ends of the floor and contributing within the flow of the game.
“Play hard. That’s the biggest point of emphasis for him all season,” Redick added. “He’s not gonna be judged on whether he makes or misses shots, but that helps.”
“When you go through a stretch where you feel like your team isn’t playing hard, you gotta play the guys that are consistently playing hard. I think he’s had some really good moments already this season and I think for him, probably the next week or so, he’s gonna have consistent playing time and consistent opportunities.”
Since Redick’s comments, Knecht has logged 10 and 12 minutes respectively in back-to-back wins over Memphis to open 2026. He went scoreless on Jan. 2, finishing 0-of-2 from the field without recording another box score statistic, though he was a plus-eight in the game.
Two nights later, the 24-year-old scored three points on 1-of-5 shooting, adding two rebounds and one steal.
Those performances followed a Dec. 30 outing against the Detroit Pistons in which he shot a perfect 4-of-4 from the field in limited minutes, briefly showing the offensive promise that once defined his profile before slipping back into inconsistency.
Despite Redick’s public backing, a significant role has yet to materialize, and if trade discussions gain traction, Knecht is widely-viewed as a likely inclusion. His trade value, however, currently sits at an all-time low.
Effort Over Results as Role Takes Shape
Through 27 games this season, averaging just over 13 minutes per night, Knecht is posting 5.4 points and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 46.7% from the field and 34.8% from three.
Those numbers contrast sharply with last season, when he erupted for 37 points in a single game, tying the NBA rookie record with nine made three pointers and briefly entering Rookie of the Year conversations.
Redick’s messaging suggests this is not a short-term experiment. Knecht is expected to receive a consistent run, allowing him to settle into a defined role rather than bouncing in and out of the line-up.
The Lakers have also turned to their G League affiliate, South Bay, to help rebuild Knecht’s confidence. In his lone appearance there this season, he scored 30 points against the San Diego Clippers, shooting 10-of-17 from the field while knocking down six three pointers and contributing across the board.
That scoring punch is something the Lakers badly need. They currently rank last in the NBA in bench scoring, averaging just 25.3 points per game, well below the next lowest team.
For a shooter, confidence remains critical, and consistent minutes, potentially paired with further G League reps, may be the path towards Knecht rediscovering it.
With injuries to Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent forcing constant line-up adjustments, the Lakers are searching for reliable two-way contributors. Knecht’s size and shooting profile still offer theoretical value if paired with sustained effort and defensive commitment.
The opportunity is there. Whether Knecht capitalizes on it will determine his future with the team.
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