Decreased opportunities and the emergence of Jake LaRavia have led Dalton Knecht to approach the front office with a straight demand. The 17th overall pick in the 2024 draft wants a trade and to start fresh in his young NBA career. Since the Lakers are also looking for an ideal 3-and-D wing player, the option to flip the 24-year-old does make sense.

After no progress with their main targets, the Lakers are focusing on the Cavaliers’ De’Andre Hunter, according to Brett Siegel. “As the Lakers continue to be linked to De’Andre Hunter, the Cavs have been in discussions with a couple of other teams regarding him. There are some within the Cavs organization who like the idea of adding Dalton Knecht in a buy-low spot to get off Hunter’s contract, yet discussions have been ongoing.”

With one week left to the trade deadline, Cavs forward De’Andre Hunter is reportedly now sitting at the “top” of the Lakers’ wish list. It’ll be interesting to see what the Cavs are looking for in return for Hunter after sending so many trade assets to the Hawks to acquire him a year ago.

Last February, Hunter was traded to the Cavs for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks, and two pick swaps. Since the fit has not worked out as Cleveland would have hoped, the franchise is ready to move on from the 28-year-old.

De’Andre Hunter signed a 4-year, $90,000,000 rookie extension with the Atlanta Hawks in 2022, which took effect from the 2023-24 season. He is owed $23.3 million in 2025-26 and $24.9 million in 2026-27.

With a career-low in three-point shooting, it makes sense the Cavs are not looking to retain Hunter. Dalton Knecht is a similar story with the Lakers.

In his rookie year, he was considered a steal as the #17 pick. With his growing value, he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams, but as we all know now, the deal was rescinded after Williams reportedly failed his physical examination. And Knecht’s never been the same since.

The minutes have been reduced this season, and the result was just one outcome. “In other news, I’m told Dalton Knecht approached the Lakers front office recently and has asked to be traded. It’s expected they’ll grant his wish,” noted Lakers insider Anthony F. Irwin this week.

How Dalton Knecht failed at the Lakers

“Knecht was playing with a lot of confidence through a brief stretch of this season, exhibited most by him taking charge in consecutive games against the Pelicans and the Spurs. But the Lakers have already shown they are comfortable parting with the former 17th overall pick. He was sent to Charlotte last year before the Mark Williams trade fell through,” Nguyen wrote.

The 24-year-old opened the season averaging 19.2 minutes per game. In October and November, the former Tennessee star had two games with double-digit scoring. Knecht himself has demanded a trade to leave the Lakers. The sophomore forward has seen his exposure and production dip this season, averaging 4.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 12 minutes per game.

The Lakers signed him to a rookie-scale contract worth $18.4 million, roughly $4 million per year. They also exercised his $4.2 million team option for 2026–27, giving them low-cost control through next season.

That contract structure once appeared to be leverage. Now, it frames the dilemma. “Dalton Knecht has zero trade value around the NBA,” Dan Woike reported.

LA Times reporter Broderick Turner also reported that the Lakers have been linked to Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis, and New Orleans Pelicans forwards Troy Murphy III and Herbert Jones.

Since Knecht has asked for a trade and the Lakers are willing to respect the wishes, it remains to be seen where the 24-year-old ends up.