Why a Lakers 25-Year-Old SG Deserves to Be on the 26-27 Roster
As training camp begins ahead of the upcoming season, young wing Dalton Knecht faces a pivotal moment in his career in Los Angeles. Selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, the former Tennessee standout showed early flashes as a perimeter scorer. However, after inconsistent playing time, changing offensive schemes, and reduced production during the 2025-2026 regular season, Knecht is under considerable pressure to earn a steady role in the rotation under head coach JJ Redick. Many thought his breakout season would be in his second season. Now with the front-office decisions approaching, his camp performance could determine whether he remains part of the team’s long-term plans or becomes a trade candidate before opening night.
At six-foot-six, he has the ideal size, smooth perimeter shot, and enough athleticism to thrive as an off-ball wing in today’s NBA. In college, his elite three-point range made him one of the nation’s most dynamic offensive threats. However, the jump to the pros has brought a tougher test: adapting to the game's physicality and defensive demands. If the 25-year-old’s perimeter shots aren’t falling, consistent playing time can be hard to come by, especially on a Western Conference roster built to win now.
To lock down a spot in Redick's regular-season rotation, they’ll need to take a clear step forward on defense. Modern perimeter schemes demand that wings fight through high screens, close out aggressively on three-point shooters, and stay in front of quick ball handlers. If the former Tennessee Volunteer can pair sharper lateral movement and stronger defensive awareness with the perimeter support of additions like Quentin Grimes, he can become a reliable two-way presence off the bench. Bring energy on every defensive possession, and he’ll give the coaching staff an immediate reason to trust him.
Offensive spacing will be key to success alongside dynamic playmakers like Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić. Their ability to create will give him plenty of chances to knock down open, in-rhythm jumpers off ball reversals. By moving decisively without the ball, cutting hard to the rim, and converting perimeter shots at a high rate, the Lakers' spot-up shooter can keep defenses from collapsing into the paint. Nail those details, and he could quickly become a potent secondary scorer off the bench. Training camp offers the 25-year-old wing a fresh start and a rare chance to seize his future. The talent is there; now he has to make the most of this moment and prove he belongs in the core rotation.
