Breaking news : Lakers Make Dalton Knecht Announcement After Rescinded Hornets Trade

 

Rookie wing Dalton Knecht will return to the Los Angeles Lakers after it was announced Saturday (via Jovan Buha of The Athletic) that the reported trade between LA and the Charlotte Hornets did not go through. Knecht, 22, was set to be traded to the Hornets at the deadline for center Mark Williams, as the Lakers hoped to land a lob-threat big man to fit the roster’s new outlook. However, the trade was rescinded due to “a failure to satisfy a condition of the trade,” according to an official report released by the Lakers. After averaging 9.4 points in his first 48 NBA games, Knecht is set to continue with the team that selected him 17th overall in the 2024 NBA. That said, his official return to the court is in question.

 

On Sunday, the Lakers announced their rookie guard from Tennessee is questionable for Monday’s home game against the Utah Jazz due to what the team is calling “personal reasons.” Knecht joins LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the injury report, who have both been upgraded to probable after their initial questionable listings.

 

The Lakers will also be without Maxi Kleber, whom they acquired alongside Doncic from Dallas in the blockbuster trade. The 6-foot-10 power forward suffered a right foot fracture that required surgery and is expected to be re-evaluated in eight weeks (via Buha) to determine if he’ll return this season.

 

As for Knecht, he is averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists so far in his rookie year. He is also shooting 46.5% from the field and 35.8% from beyond the arc.