The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the 2025-26 season with heightened expectations following major roster shifts after their disappointing first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last year. With the addition of Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, spots in their new rotation are going to be competitive for young players. One such player is sophomore guard Dalton Knecht, whose potential growth is going to determine how much he can contribute.

Analyst Trevor Lane believes that Knecht has an opportunity to make a significant impact in limited minutes. “The best case scenario for Knecht right now would be slotting him in, maybe as the eighth man, maybe ninth man on this roster,” Lane said. “But even if he’s playing 12 minutes a night, 14 minutes, limited minutes, he could still give you six, seven, eight points, something like that during that stretch and be a big, big boost to the Lakers’ bench scoring.”

The Lakers’ need for bench scoring is extremely pressing. Besides his previous statement, Lane also pointed out that LA ranked dead last in bench points per 100 possessions last season, which highlights just how much the starters had to carry the load. If Knecht can score in small bursts, it could alleviate the potential pressure on LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and even Austin Reaves, which will let them retain decent conditioning late into games. His ability to contribute effectively off the bench is pivotal for a team looking to contend around its superstar duo.

Knecht’s rookie campaign showed glimpses of his potential. He averaged 9.1 points on 37.6% shooting from three in around 19 minutes per game. Apart from his floor spacing, which is his greatest attribute, he has shown the ability to score efficiently on all levels. Consistency is key, and Lane’s assessment of the situation highlights that even limited time on the floor for the Lakers can make a difference if Knecht can hit his rhythm

Lane touched on the trade angle for Knecht as well. He asked, “Could he rehab some of his value and then get traded again? The Lakers did already trade him once in the Mark Williams trade that got rescinded. So could he become a trade asset again?” He added that Knecht’s increased production could make him a valuable asset and perhaps move him if a suitable return is offered. But Redick has faith in his young player.

JJ Redick Reinforces Belief in Knecht’s Development

Despite Knecht’s struggles during Summer League, where he had subpar efficiency from the field, Lakers head coach JJ Redick has been positive about his development. He told reporters during a press conference, “Dalton’s in a really good spot right now. I’ve had a number of conversations with him throughout the summer. They’ve all been very positive. I really believe this — the guy did too much after the season, and I think in Summer League he was burnt out.” Redick highlighted that Knecht’ workload contributed to his struggles. According to Redick, “He was coming in here at 5 a.m. getting shots up, then doing two workouts with our summer league staff and in the weight room.”

Redick emphasized that Knecht is ready physically, noting, “He’s in phenomenal shape. He’s in a great spot mentally. He’s played well throughout September.” His improvement will position Knecht to make an immediate impact once he receives consistent playtime, potentially reinforcing depth and bench scoring.

Redick, during his playing career, had a similar beginning to Knecht – great long-range shooter who had to earn his spot on a contending Orlando Magic team. Redick’s guidance is going to be key for Knecht’s development, and, with his coach’s endorsement, Knecht’s trajectory could lead to becoming a reliable option for the Lakers’ evolving roster.