As the Los Angeles Lakers gear up for the 2025-26 NBA season, all eyes are on Dalton Knecht, their electrifying rookie whose potential could shape the franchise’s future. With three years left on his contract, the Lakers have a golden opportunity to nurture a rising star—but only if they heed a cautionary tale from the Golden State Warriors’ mishandling of Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors’ missteps with Kuminga, now mired in a contentious restricted free agency saga, serve as a stark warning for the Lakers: prioritize Knecht’s strengths, foster his growth, and avoid the pitfalls that could derail his trajectory and the team’s long-term success.
Dalton Knecht burst onto the NBA scene in his rookie season, showcasing a scoring prowess that draws parallels to Kuminga’s early years. Knecht averaged 9.1 points per game and an impressive 17.0 points per 36 minutes, with a silky-smooth slash line of .461/.376/.762. His standout performances included a 37-point explosion and a 32-point gem, alongside seven games with at least 20 points. These flashes of brilliance highlight his potential as a dynamic, floor-spacing wing—a skill set the Lakers desperately need.
Similarly, Kuminga’s rookie season with the Warriors saw him average 9.3 points per game and 19.8 points per 36 minutes on .513/.336/.684 shooting, with five 20-point games of his own. Over the past two seasons, Kuminga’s scoring surged to 15.8 points per game and 22.2 per 36 minutes, cementing his reputation as a potent offensive weapon. Yet, despite these similarities, the Warriors’ approach to Kuminga’s development diverged sharply from what the Lakers must do with Knecht.
The Warriors’ handling of Kuminga offers a masterclass in what not to do with a young talent. Rather than leaning into his scoring ability, Golden State fixated on his defensive shortcomings and inconsistent jump shot, limiting his opportunities to grow through experience. As a rookie, Kuminga played just 16.9 minutes per game, and even after shooting 37.0 percent from three in his sophomore season, his minutes only crept up to 20.8 per game. By 2023-24, despite averaging 16.1 points on 52.9 percent field-goal shooting, he was still relegated to 26.3 minutes per contest, with healthy scratches in the regular season and playoffs further stunting his role.
This lack of trust and inconsistent playing time eroded Kuminga’s confidence in the Warriors’ vision for him. Now, as he navigates a turbulent restricted free agency, Kuminga’s reluctance to re-sign stems from years of feeling undervalued—a sentiment the Lakers must avoid planting in Knecht.
Knecht’s rookie season was a tantalizing glimpse of what he could become: a sharpshooting wing who stretches defenses and delivers in clutch moments. His 37.6 percent three-point shooting and ability to erupt for high-scoring games make him a perfect fit for JJ Redick’s system, which emphasizes spacing and offensive versatility. However, like Kuminga, Knecht has his flaws—namely, defensive inconsistencies that limited his minutes as a rookie.
The Lakers must strike a delicate balance: allowing Knecht to refine his defense without punishing him for mistakes. Redick’s rotation decisions in 2025-26 will be pivotal. Cutting Knecht’s minutes at the first sign of struggle, as the Warriors did with Kuminga, risks undermining his confidence and stalling his development. Instead, the Lakers must provide a stable role where Knecht can learn from errors, build chemistry with teammates like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and continue honing his elite scoring ability.
The Warriors’ failure to provide Kuminga with consistent opportunities sowed the seeds of doubt long before his contract negotiations began. The Lakers have time to avoid this fate with Knecht, but it starts now. Maintaining a positive relationship with him over the next three years means prioritizing his development over immediate results. This includes:
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Embracing His Strengths: Knecht’s scoring and shooting should be the cornerstone of his role, not an afterthought. The Lakers must design sets that maximize his ability to space the floor and attack off the dribble.
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Tolerating Growing Pains: Defensive lapses are part of a young player’s journey. The Lakers should coach Knecht through mistakes rather than benching him, ensuring he gains the experience needed to improve.
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Communicating a Clear Vision: Regular dialogue between Knecht, Redick, and the coaching staff will build trust and align expectations, preventing the disconnect that plagued Kuminga’s tenure with the Warriors.
The Lakers stand at a crossroads with Dalton Knecht. If they nurture his talents and provide a clear path for growth, they could unlock a cornerstone player who complements their star-studded core. But if they repeat the Warriors’ mistakes—prioritizing flaws over strengths and chasing instant gratification—they risk alienating Knecht and facing a Kuminga-like standoff when his contract nears its end.
The blueprint for success is clear: invest in Knecht’s potential, grant him the stability to develop, and build a relationship rooted in trust. The Warriors’ cautionary tale looms large, but the Lakers have the chance to write a different story—one where Dalton Knecht becomes the star he’s destined to be, and the franchise reaps the rewards for years to come.