Dalton Knecht’s Whirlwind Week: From L.A. to Charlotte and Back Again
In the world of professional sports, trades are as common as a three-pointer in the NBA. Yet, every so often, a trade story emerges that leaves fans and players alike scratching their heads. Such is the case with Dalton Knecht, a player who experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in just one week. Let’s dive into the details of this whirlwind journey that saw Knecht donning the purple and gold of the Los Angeles Lakers, then briefly becoming a member of the Charlotte Hornets, only to return to the Lakers once more.
It all began in Salt Lake City, where Knecht found himself back in Lakers colors during a 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz. Reflecting on the chaotic events, Knecht described the experience as surreal, saying, “It was a crazy time. It felt like a movie.” Indeed, the sequence of events was nothing short of cinematic.
On February 5th, Knecht was at the Lakers’ practice facility, going through his usual routine. He was in the midst of his shooting drills, aiming to make 25 shots from the foul line, when he was interrupted after his 20th free throw. Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager, summoned him to his office. There, Knecht learned that he had been traded, along with Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap, and the Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick, to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for 7-foot center Mark Williams.
The news hit Knecht hard. “It was hard,” he admitted. “I got drafted here, so L.A. means a lot.” Despite the emotional blow, Knecht prepared to embrace his new team. He flew from L.A. to Charlotte on Thursday to begin the onboarding process with the Hornets. By Saturday, he was in Detroit, ready to play his first game with the Hornets against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
However, the plot thickened. Once in Detroit, Knecht received another call from Pelinka. The trade had been rescinded. “Rob called me and said, ‘You’re coming back,'” Knecht recounted. Despite the back-and-forth, Knecht maintained a positive outlook, stating, “I was just excited to go out there and hoop, no matter where I was going.”
Returning to L.A. on Sunday, Knecht met with Pelinka and coach JJ Redick on Monday. “I just want to go hoop. I told that to JJ and Rob,” Knecht said. “I get it’s a business, so at the end of the day, I told them, ‘Let’s just go play basketball.'”
While Knecht was on the bench in street clothes for the Lakers’ 132-113 win over the Jazz in L.A., plans were made for him to play in Utah on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Hornets contacted the NBA to dispute the Lakers’ failed physical assessment of Williams, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
When asked about the Hornets’ challenge, Knecht expressed uncertainty about the league’s potential involvement, saying, “I’m just doing what I love to do, going out there and playing. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just going to compete hard wherever I go, and hopefully it’s L.A. Whatever happens, I’m just going to go out there and compete.”
Upon his return, Knecht was warmly welcomed by his Lakers teammates, who greeted him with hugs and check-ins. They even joked that he was making his debut all over again for the franchise that had picked him No. 17 in the draft last June.
- “This league is a business and trades happen,” said Austin Reaves. “I’ve never seen something like this happen. So, this is the first for me. At the end of the day, he’s got to come in and be a professional. Go out there and do his job, and I thought he was good tonight. I don’t think he played a game in probably a week or so. Can’t wait to get him back out there acclimated with everything that we’re doing because he’s going to help us be successful.”
Coach Redick, on the other hand, was ready to move on from the trade saga. “I thought his spirit was good,” Redick said. “He played well. We’re not going to talk about it anymore. We’ve talked about it. He’s in a good spot. We’re good.”
In the end, Dalton Knecht’s story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of professional sports. While trades are part and parcel of the game, the emotional toll they take on players is often overlooked. For Knecht, the past week has been a whirlwind, but his focus remains on the court, where he hopes to continue making an impact for the Lakers.
Originally Written by: Dave McMenamin
