LOS ANGELES – In a surprising turn of events that’s sending shockwaves through Lakers Nation, head coach JJ Redick has pulled back the curtain on the team’s strategy for second-year wing Dalton Knecht, who’s been assigned to the G League amid a promising yet challenging start to the 2025-26 NBA season. The Los Angeles Lakers, off to a solid beginning with new roster tweaks, have made the bold move to send Knecht down to the South Bay Lakers for development, and Redick isn’t mincing words about why.
The assignment kicks off Tuesday night during South Bay’s final home game of the month, with Redick himself planning to attend. Speaking after the Lakers’ practice session, Redick laid out the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing the need for Knecht to regain his rhythm and rediscover his love for the game.
“When we first kind of talked about it as a staff, we ran it by RP [Rob Pelinka]. RP had communicated to Dalton and his agents early before we kind of made the final decision,” Redick explained. “I just told him, he needs to play. He’s gonna get opportunities on this team. He’s already had some opportunities, played well in some. He’s gonna help us at some point. Right now, he needs to play and he needs to have fun playing.”
Knecht, selected in the mid-first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, was initially hailed as a steal—a lottery-level talent who slipped due to draft quirks. He burst onto the scene as a rookie, securing a rotation spot under Redick almost immediately. However, things took a downturn following a rescinded trade deadline deal that would have shipped him to the Charlotte Hornets. Since then, Knecht has struggled to reclaim his spot, with confidence issues lingering into a lackluster summer league performance that sparked concern among fans. Redick attributed the summer slump to burnout from an intense workout regimen.
This season, Knecht has suited up for 20 games, including one start, averaging just over 15 minutes per contest. His stats reflect a player still finding his footing: 6.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, shooting 47.1% from the field, 36.2% from beyond the arc, and 66.7% from the free-throw line. His standout moment came on October 29 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he dropped 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting off the bench, contributing to a thrilling win capped by Austin Reaves’ game-winner.
Redick stopped short of confirming if this G League stint will become a recurring theme, but the implication is clear: meaningful reps in South Bay could be the key to unlocking Knecht’s potential. With the Lakers pushing for contention, this assignment isn’t a demotion—it’s a calculated investment in a young talent poised to make an impact.
As the Lakers continue to navigate a competitive Western Conference, all eyes will be on Knecht’s progress. Will this bombshell decision pay off and propel him back into the NBA rotation? Only time—and some G League dominance—will tell. Stay tuned for updates as the story unfolds.