Dalton Knecht Sends Strong Message About LeBron James Amid NBA Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into a pivotal offseason, especially after LeBron James opted into the final year of his contract.
Despite this commitment, James and his agent, Rich Paul, have made it clear they want to maximize whatever time he has left—potentially opening the door for bold moves, including a trade, though that currently appears unlikely.
At this point, James is expected to remain with the Lakers as they explore options in free agency. One name to keep an eye on in trade discussions is forward Dalton Knecht.
Knecht was originally traded to the Charlotte Hornets at the deadline, but the deal was rescinded after Hornets center Mark Williams failed his physical, resulting in Knecht’s return to Los Angeles.
While the Lakers remain intrigued by Knecht’s offensive upside, he could be among their most valuable trade assets if they decide to pursue a significant roster upgrade.
All the Lakers “assets”
EXPIRING
Rui- 18 mil
Vincent- 11.5 mil
Kleber – 11 mil
DFS- 15.3 mil (PO)
DRAFT PICKS
– 55th pick
-2026 swap
-2028 swap
-2030 swap
-2031 1st
-2032 swap
TRADE VALUE
– Austin Reaves (13.9 mil)
– Dalton Knecht (4 mil)
THE LAKERS HAVE ASSETS!!! 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/UMMRpTJTm2
— Playoff LAL (@PlayoffLAL) June 26, 2025
In a recent interview during a fan meet-and-greet in Los Angeles, Knecht participated in a rapid-fire Q&A with “Lakers All Day Everyday” and shared a clear message about what it meant to spend his rookie season alongside LeBron James—including some of the key advice James gave him throughout the year.
“Yeah, I’ve learned a lot,” Knecht said. “LeBron told me to always stay consistent, stay true to who I am, and keep working. He knows I’m big on being in the gym, so he always reminded me to stick to my foundation and keep doing what I love.”
Dalton Knecht really tried to dunk on AD in his FIRST NBA PRACTICE 💀 pic.twitter.com/9k9kFYAND6
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) June 30, 2025
The Lakers selected Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after a standout final collegiate season at Tennessee. While he played a meaningful role in the regular season rotation, Knecht saw limited action during L.A.’s first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves due to concerns about his defense.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) and Dalton Knecht (4).Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Still, he turned in a solid rookie campaign, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.3 steals per game while shooting 37.6% from beyond the arc. He also delivered several breakout performances, including a 37-point outburst against the Utah Jazz on Nov 19.
Related: Dwyane Wade Names Greatest Miami Heat Player of All Time Without Hesitation
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
