Dalton Knecht will play for the Lakers’ Summer League team. He’s looking to expand his game and showcase more skills beyond his three-point shooting.
“Just showing what I can do,” Knecht told Khobi Price of the Orange County Register. “Feel like I kind of showed a little bit throughout my rookie year, but just keep building on top of that.”
Knecht was part of the rescinded midseason trade with Charlotte when Mark Williams failed the Lakers’ physical. He remained in the rotation and averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 37.6 percent from long range in 78 appearances as a rookie.
“After the season we had a talk and stuff like that,” Knecht said of coach JJ Redick. “And we’ve been doing a workout. We’ve got lunch and stuff. Just talking and getting to know each other more and then being able to communicate with each other. That’s the most important thing. Then, obviously, JJ is a great shooter and we’ve just been doing shooting drills and stuff like that. It’s good just getting to the gym with your head coach. Learn from him, because he’s a great shooter as well.”
We have more on the Lakers:
- At least one prominent Laker is enticed about the prospect of Deandre Ayton joining the team. Luka Doncic is excited about the opportunity to play with Ayton, according to Dan Woike and David Aldridge of The Athletic. They are both clients of longtime agent Bill Duffy.
- Statements by agent Rich Paul after LeBron James opted in to his contract has fueled speculation that James might want to be traded at some point if he’s unhappy with the team’s roster moves. That was news to his son and teammate Bronny James. “Actually, one of my friends called me, talking about where [I was going to play next season], what I was going to do because they saw my dad [in the news],” Bronny told Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I didn’t see it. He called me. I was like, ‘Yeah, I have no idea what you’re talking about.’ … I don’t really pay attention to that stuff. There’s a lot of stuff going around that I don’t pay attention to.”
- Doncic paired up with Nikola Jokic? That is the dream scenario for Lakers fans and Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus outlines how the Lakers are seemingly making moves designed to clear enough future cap space to bring in Jokic at or before the 2027 offseason if he becomes disillusioned with the Nuggets. While Pincus acknowledges it may be a pipe dream, he points out that the Lakers have a history of making unlikely deals to land future Hall-of-Famers.
- Adou Thiero, drafted with the 36th overall pick, won’t play this summer for the Lakers, Woike tweets. He’s still rehabbing the left knee injury he suffered this past season at Arkansas but he’s expected to be fully cleared for training camp.
Why do sport writers make up stories that every pl;ayer is coming to the Lakers? Right now Nuggets are 1 of the top teams in the west much better than the lakers. Nuggets made some great moves so why would Jokic even think to leave?
Eyeballs. See you’re commenting on it. It works.
I agree…BUT IF Jokic does decide to make a move else where it would be with his buddy Luka…both have been talking about playing together…I was hoping Luka would go to Denver but him going to LA would setup a Marriage down the road…
Again Things would have to go drastically wrong in Denver next couple years for that to happen…but u can’t blame LA for preparing IF it does….
What if Luka decides to leave LA because he doesn’t like it and go to the Nuggets? Its hard being under the spot light every game so same chances that Luka wants out.
What will the Lakers do if Luka decides not to sign the extension in August. Maybe Luka does not want to play for LA, that would be the greatest fallout that any NBA team has felt. Maybe that was a behind the scenes move by James picking up his player option, figuring if Luka turns down his extension in August, it makes James contract negotiation for 2026 if he wants to play another year a real contract point for James resigning with the Lakers.
Jokic has loads of buddies around the league.
You can say the same about Luka, he can become a free agent and leave.
“IF Luka does decide to make a move elsewhere it would be with his buddy Nikola…
Things would have to become drastically wrong in Los Angeles next couple of years for that to happen…but u can’t blame Denver for preparing IF it does…”
Now, to be serious. Just because 2 players are white and where born on the same continent, it doesn’t make them buddies. Dallas made that mistake once when they signed Porzingis, and him and Luka didn’t get on at all.
This type of thinking is what reinforces ‘dumb Americans’ stereotypes.
They are buddies though.
That’s where you are wrong.
Dončić and Porzingis have nothing in common (OK, they are both from Europe :), but Jokić and Dončić are both Serbians.
To be exact, Dončić was born in Slovenia as his mother is Slovenian, but his father is Serbian.
They both speak Serbian, they listen to the same music, eat the same food, drink the same drinks and have the same mentality – nothing like with Porzingis.
Yeah, they are buddies – for many reasons.
Unless he is signing as a FA there is no way for LAL to have a package to trade for him, none. They are basically out of all but one 1st.
What preparing? Joker is probably going to extend and then they have a non starter trade package for him. If anything worry he goes to the Nets or something since at least they are a team with the assets to be in the conversation.
F***ing Lakers think they can be like heres a bent stick give me your car for it. I got news for you LALA Nico Harrison doesnt run the Nuggets…
There is no integrity today. Throw in anything that gets you more looks. Nuggets have loaded up. Couldn’t care less about the Lakers or FA in 2027.
aristotle ….. you need attention lol.
the subject is about taking away from Nuggets real news. By using untrue and made up stories. To sell their agenda. Sort of like U DO….
Bron was a FA so was Shaq. FA go where they want. Yes AD did force his way to LA. But that was about playing with Bron. Kareem never forced a trade to LA. He just wanted out of midwest. Wanted a major city. LA offered best deal. Big market teams have always gotten what they wanted. Mostly. Thats why even today we still use big market term …….
Nuggets loading up is the story. Not Jokic leaving in 2027 ……. you understand that.
Arc89,. I feel your pain as a Bay Area sports fan. Writers don’t have to make anything up. It really happens. LA is the media capital of the world, and every player agent steers their players to LA because player and agent make more money.
LeBron signed as a free agent, as did Shaq. Anthony Davis, via Rich Paul, essentially forced his way to the Lakers. It’s gone on forever. Kareem forced a trade to the Lakers in early 70’s. And do many others…
It also happens with other LA teams. Ohtani and Mookie Betts to the Dodgers. Kahwi and Paul George to the Clippers. Gretzky to the Ducks.
If you read about the Joker he is a very private person so being in LA doesn’t appeal to him. I highly doubt that he will ever leave Denver. His passion is riding horses and in LA you got to live way outside to do that.
At Arc. Been happening since airing games and adverts. The league has bent over backwards to make the Lakers what they are. Do some history on the lakers man, bogus as you could get.
Start with the magic era and how that all come about. Through to Shaq Kobe v the kings. Kobe lakers game 7 2010, one of the most blatantly rigged games ever. To the bubble winning Silver loving Bron lakers dining out at the line setting records for free discrepancy constantly. You’ll get use to it yet develop quite the hatred for L.A going forward.
Lakers to the nba like the cowboys to the NFL or Yankees to baseball. I don’t hate any sporting team in the world except the Lakers. Can’t stand them, hate absolutely everything about them, past future and present included.
I’m no sheep, I do my own homework and make my own mind up. Notice how badly it kills espn this off season has had nothing positive on the Laker front?
Everyone knows that Kings vs Lakers game was rigged. The worst officials ever that refused to call foukls on Lakes and called a traveling on Kings in closing minutes that wasn’t even close to a travel. i wonder about the draft this year how Dallas won after fans started boycotting their GM. With baseball the Marlins winning over Indians with trhe biggest strike zone ever. Gambling is only going to make it worse.
It’s just ridiculous at some point. They also know Lakers articles get clicks, but you’re right, to speculate that joker wants to leave when they just upgraded MPJ and brought back Brown from their championship team is just tired
sick league lol
When a superstar does not sign extension, a team trade him to get huge assets
If Mark Williams did not pass LA’s physical how is it that this has not been an issue for other teams? Seems Williams would have been a great fit.
LeBron has met his match now with a new owner of LA, he now is not calling the shots as this is fast becoming a Doncic team. signing a big like Ayton is all for Doncic style of play. After LA acquired Doncic, James had to feel his status as Lakers management going through him for future moves ala coaches, players, trades and FA signings was no longer a must. I really have the feeling the Lakers were hoping for James to opted out of his contract, it would have freed up money, then they could have negotiated a lower offer for James if he wants to stay in LA. I really think when James went and opt into, it really stopped the Lakers from going for Turner, because of salary cap restrictions, then it was signing Ayton as a best that is on what was left on the FA list, and it is a little better than what we have on the roster right now. James best bet for a title now is
not going to be the Lakers, but maybe a buy-out and signing with a team that has a legitimate shot of at a title. Ayton is not the missing piece for the Lakers title chase.
Ayton is not Lukas pick they just have the same agent so they have to put a positive quote out. I don’t think luka gaf about ayton
LeBron only cares about LeBron. opts in, clogs up 1/3 of the payroll, then complains about the roster he built which includes drafting his son. amazing
Who should LeBron care about? The children? Lol
Exactly. Nobody cares. Sad but true statement 😔
When was the last time you told your job you wanted to get paid less?
The last time I was offered 50 million.
If LeBron opted out and left, LAL wouldn’t be able to sign Turner or other players.
Him not taking 50 million or whatever he’s making would not allow LAL to sign 50 mil worth of players.
LeBron taking less was not freeing up enough money to get Turner. Just talking to talk
If anything – Luka comes to tax free Colorado. Jokic can still accomplish the rare feat of playing for only 1 team, and Luka can’t. So, if they ever talk amongst themselves about doing it, those 2 reasons outweigh L.A’s pros (are there any? Does having bad air quality and traffic count?)
When did CO become tax free?
To be fair, a lot of guys want to play for the Lakers bc it’s LA, but I don’t think two European guys who don’t really seem to care about being in the limelight care about that as much. They bring up Giannis wanting to go to NY, but why hasn’t he done that already then if he wants to be in a big market so badly? As someone mentioned it gets ppl’s attention and I think the league kind of tries to steer players that way. It’s better for the league to have a good NY team than Mil.
You may be right, European born players are just happy to have the opportunity to play in the NBA. Seems like American born players sometimes take it for granted.
LA has bad air quality? The last time you must have read about LA was 30 years ago. No air quality issues here. Traffic is a problem for sure, though!
But along with the traffic the beach towns have some of the best quality of life anywhere in the country. More of the wealthy players retire in SoCal for a reason.
Los Angeles has terrible air quality, you don’t know ball.
I live in LA. I remember when the air was bad. That was before the gas refining regulations and catalytic converter mandates.
Now I know why everyone on here makes fun of you. Cause you know jack chit!!!
Look I am going to assume you were born between 1955-1975 because this arrogance at being wrong seems to only come from people born in that era. You can’t “well IIIIII think its this, so it is!” we have resources and facts to back it up, like this:
link to laalmanac.com
Stop being selfish and arrogant anytime, lil bro. You might have had a point but the head idiot in charge right now is going to send LA’s air quality back to the 1980s, and 2024 was year 1 of his grand plan to make LA unlivable (a stupid plan).
You can’t help bring a fool, but I can choose not debating with a fool. So, goodbye!
Just hold an L one time. I promise it won’t hurt. It goes like this “Oh yeah, you are right, that’s interesting! I will look into this more and learn more.”
If you never admit you are wrong, you will never learn anything.
The FankenStein hasn’t been given people skills yet lol.
Humps, it’s a one-way highway for superstars to LA.
Give me a name of superstar in their prime that has left LA and I’ll give you 15 that have come the other way.
There is a state income tax in Colorado, I’m not sure where that misconception came from. As for the pros of playing in L.A? There’s brand, legacy, lifestyle, and weather. Jokić probably doesn’t care much about the first three, but the cold and snow might get to him eventually. If the Nuggets’ offseason moves don’t pan out, he could start thinking about leaving. Jokić just wants to win. I don’t think he really cares where he plays, as long as he’s winning.”
I agree! Neither Jokic, nor Luka are attention seekers; however, as Jokic said about Luka after the trade, that Luka was made for the big time like LA. Luka is more of an entertainer on the court. Jokic is Mr. Fundamentals. Both want to be left alone off the court.
However, both are very competitive and want to win. The Lakers, with their deep pockets, and ability to draw big time names (weather and lifestyle) have an advantage. Plus, Murray’s contract is an albatross around Jokic’s neck. They used to have two, with Porter Jr., but found a way to get the Nets to take that one off of their hands somehow. Murray may be harder to move though cause of the amount of money left on his contract.
Colorado is not a tax free state, but the income tax and sales tax are relatively low.
but Luka isn’t leaving an endorsement rich city like L.A to go play in Denver. Players have always coveted L.A as a city to play in no matter what the sport. No, it’s not foe everyone but the majority of players from every sport would love a chance to play in L.A. Furthermore, the new ownership is beyond mega rich and has the resources to stretch the payroll into the second tax apron to get a championship just like the Dodgers did year after year. Ya’ll can hate on LeBron and the Lakers all you want….I’m no fan of James either….and you can dream all you want about dream scenarios of Jokic and Doncic teaming up for your local city, but the reality is if they ever do team up it’ll most likely be in L.A because that’s how the NBA is. L.A is power and money and glitz and glamor and it draws elite talent over and over again. Unfortunately cities such as Denver do not.
Luka doesn’t seem to give much of a fart to play the endorsements game. A unique sorta homebody maybe. Lebron meanwhile has to continually shoot commercials, flipping hibachi into people’s mouths
So tired of this played out narrative that Euro players don’t care about anything, just want to play. Gimme a break. Luka has all kinds of endorsements. Jordan did a huge welcome to LA campaign for Luka with commercials “indicting” him for being lazy. Drove a people and gold Jordan brand sports car to Staples.
Euro players are human just like American and will increasingly behave just like every other player as their time in the league increases
Never heard that narrative. Either you can play or not. Real basketball fans don’t care where you are from. Plus the L needs all the white talent they can get. Luka is a OneWay Wonder. Would never want him on my team …. Real talent understands sports is about competing and winning. In the NBA you do that by playing both ways.
Real fans understand that and support that.
You’ve never heard the narrative jokic doesn’t care about anything but horses. Or how everyone swore the nuggets didn’t tell him about Malone’s firing, when no team worth its salt fires a coach without letting the MVP know first?
Or just read the comments above in this one thread. “Luka doesn’t care about endorsements”.
“Both want to be left alone off the court”
“Euro players are just happy to play in the league”
“Two European guys who don’t seem to care”
Maybe you haven’t paid attention to it bc it’s a crap narrative or maybe because you believe it to be true, but you’ve definitely heard the narrative.
Every player says they want to stay with their team. It’s marketing.
I consider him one of best ballers ever. That tells me who he is. He takes his profession and talent seriously. I’m not much for gossip or rumors. I don’t see where loving horses has anything to do with playing. And I make up my own mind about athletes and people. Euro ball has come a long way. Most fans only look at your game. We will judge your character later. Not a Luka fan. I am a Jokic fan ……
Luka wanted to play in Dallas his whole career – why are you acting like he requested a trade to LA?
LA isn’t for everyone.
Even with the best Ayton can be. Lakers aren’t a top 4 team in West. Bron has nothing to do with that.
Ayton isn’t a sure thing. Laker fans should be more focused on that.
link to yardbarker.com
Ayton is not a sure thing. Not the best character to bet your future on….
Jokic isn’t going to that dumpster fire lol.
And he would hate playing with Luka and vice versa.
The only LAL story that mattered this off season is their denying DFS more than a 2 year deal, and their stated reason (2027 cap space). Means two things, at least: 1) they are assuming LeBron will not (not may not) be on the roster in 2027; and 2) they are not going to expend significant assets to win in the next 2 years (i.e., LeBron’s maximum window, at least with them), preferring to reload after that. In light of the fact that their available assets are few anyway, the latter statement is pretty close to declaring a quasi-tank. Ayton is perfect for them. A high profile, short term, acquisition.
Reports of impact players going to the LAL should be ignored unless the guy is of a magnitude that he’s either capable of being Luka’s second star (going forward from 2027) or he doesn’t use assets that might acquire that guy. Unless the LAL retract their statement about 2027 cap space, of course.
Let’s look at the Bucks. They lost Lillard and Lopez and got Turner. Otherwise the same team. The Bucks were not going anywhere with Lillard and certainly not with Turner. So, Giannis, a likely mover possibility.
Nuggets got Cameron for Porter Jr. Brown hasn’t been good in years. Murray is a crapshoot every year with injury and Joe good he will be. So, is Denver really that much better than last year? In the past Jokic was asked if he wants to play with Luka. His answer was sure, but we have a great organization here so Luka should come to Denver. Since then the organization (both the head coach and president of operation) are gone. If Denver doesn’t win it all and Murray sucks, Jokic wanting out is a possibility.
The same team? Do you pay ANY attention to this site?
IN
Myles Turner
Gary Harris
OUT
Damian Lillard
Pat Connaughton
Chris Livingston
Brook Lopez
NOT “the same team”. At all. You don’t know ball.
Brown was hurt he is playing 20 minutes. Having a true passing big as back up. Growth from all of Denver’s youth. Cam will get such great looks ge will shoot 45 plus. Denver lost to OKC because Gordon w as hurt. Period!
Dalton is exactly what you expect from a 23 year old 17th pick. There’s no real upside – but a good guy to have on the bench.
if I’m Denver .. and Luka shows up at camp ripped and ready .. I’d be worried .. can’t imagine joker wouldn’t want to play with a serious Luka asap
Keep dreaming. If being humiliated in the finals didn’t force him to work out, what makes you think the nightlife in LA will force him?
aristotle
July 3, 2025
Humps, it’s a one-way highway for superstars to LA.
Give me a name of superstar in their prime that has left LA and I’ll give you 15 that have come the other way.
OK ————
Randle, Zubac, Ingram, Russell, Ball just recent ……..
Kuzma, Caruso, Hart, Clarkson, M Wagner, M Barsley, R Patterson, B Davis, D Christie, T Ariza, V Divac, C Butler, A Dantley, E Jones
OK ——. OK … now give me just 45 players.
You said 15 to 1. I just need 45 LOL.
Not a single player you listed is a star.
Are you mentally handicapped Alejandro?
Only player on that list of yours who was pseudo star was Jones, others just role players
Randle was an all star. Russell was an all star. Eddie Jones was a star, Clarkson was sixth man, Caruso was sixth man, ingram has a max contract., Ball got a Max contract before getting hurt. A Dantley is a HOFer, Divac is a HOFer, . Ariza was a sixth man and got a max. zubac is a starting C second team all D.
Look clown get some knowledge and intelligence before addressing me. I have deep knowledge and fast fingers…
I love that LeBron says he has no idea what all this trade chatter is about.
Dude, your agent did not need to put out that statement about how your watching the roster moves so that you can decide whether to stay in LA…a press release that wasn’t necessary at all and was theoretically associated with your decision to pick up your player option for 2025.
I’ll believe that LeBron had nothing to do with this when I read the article about him firing his agent. Until then it’s just LeBron being LeBron.
Al, you didn’t read anything I said.
Nobody “knows” anything, one way or the other.
The article never said that Jokic was going to LA. Nor did I say so.
It’s all speculation at this point.
I do read. Otherwise I wouldn’t react.
arc made a point about writers making up story. That I agreed with. And we both said Nuggets real story is about this year. OK .. not about a fake FA in 2027.
You made it about feeling pain of players going to LA. Dude no one cares about FA in 2027. Especially Jokic. Do you get it now. Read arc post lol. Very simple.
Nooo, the Lakers will be nothing without Nepo Baby.