Rookie guard Dalton Knecht is blossoming for the Los Angeles Lakers. On a team deprived of shooting last season, Knecht has stepped in and become one of its most trusty marksmen, knocking down over 45 percent of his threes. In five games as a starter, he’s averaging 19 points on 55 percent shooting, buoyed by his 37-point breakout against the Utah Jazz last week.
The Lakers’ offense has been excellent this year, generating over 117 points per 100 possessions, which ranks fourth league-wide. Austin Reaves’ bounce-back year as a ball-handler and shooter has helped propel them, while Anthony Davis and LeBron James continue to play like superstars on that end.
Knecht makes them even better offensively. During his 369 minutes this season, the Lakers boast a 124.3 offensive rating; when he’s off the floor, that drops to a woeful 112 points per 100 possessions.
The Lakers’ coaching staff is challenged with finding a consistent role for Knecht. That’s complicated by Rui Hachimura’s return from injury — and subsequent reinsertion to the starting lineup — and D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent’s presence as fellow reserve guards.
Part of the problem is both Knecht and Reaves, despite significant offensive talent, struggle mightily as point-of-attack defenders. The Lakers, outside of Davis (and the occasional engaged game from James), do not have the defensive facilities to insulate those two or Russell, who is also a poor defender.
The result is an imbalanced roster and rather uneven team. One of the best offenses. One of the worst defenses (25th in defensive rating).
But perhaps Knecht’s emergence provides the Lakers the flexibility to gauge the trade market, improve their roster and find that necessary balance.
So, let’s explore some potential trades.
Note: No hypothetical trade is perfect. No trade made by fans is balanced. If you’re mad at any of these, that’s OK. It’s likely none of them happen.
The Brooklyn Nets Trade
Nets Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 first-round pick (top-four protected) , 2025 second-round pick (via the Los Angeles Clippers), 2025 second-round pick
Lakers Receive: Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith
This would be the best trade of the bunch for both sides. The Nets are frisky and competitive, but they’re probably going to pull the plug on their veteran core sooner rather than later to chase lottery balls. Gaining a 2029 Lakers first (albeit, with protections) could be a sweet addition to their already plentiful arsenal of future picks.
For the Lakers, Johnson and Finney-Smith are the exact type of wings they’re missing. They’re athletic, can shoot the ball, defend well at their positions and serve as excellent connective pieces next to the James-Davis-Reaves-Knecht quartet. It’d also give head coach JJ Redick some much-needed versatility within the rotation.
The First Portland Trail Blazers Trade
Blazers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Christian Wood, 2029 first-round pick (lottery protected), two 2025 second-rounders
Lakers Receive: Robert Williams III and Matisse Thybulle
From the Lakers perspective, this one is a risky investment. For starters, you’re hoping Williams can stay healthy — at least for the rest of the season. You’re also hoping Thybulle’s newfound outside shooting (he’s made 36 percent of his threes since joining Portland in 2022-23) travels to Los Angeles.
Those are bold things to bet on. But if it works, the Lakers would get a complementary big man next to Davis and a savvy wing defender in Thybulle, both of whom could be useful for the postseason.
The Second Blazers Trade
Blazers Receive: Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick (top-four protected) and two second-rounders
Lakers Receive: Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III
I’d bet Lakers fans would prefer this deal. Admittedly, Grant’s contract is one of the league’s biggest after he signed a five-year, $160 million extension last summer to stay with Portland. It also includes a $36 million player option for 2027-28, when Grant will be 33 going on 34.
But they’d be getting Grant for the rest of his prime. Although he’s struggled to be his usual efficient self — shooting 38 percent this season — he’s consistently looked better next to star power, pairing well with Damian Lillard and Nikola Jokic in recent years. This way, the Lakers would net a better, more refined version of Hachimura (for a heftier price tag), while also adding some frontcourt depth in Williams. It’s something to consider.
The Utah Jazz Trade
Jazz Receive: Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, four second-rounders
Lakers Receive: Walker Kessler and John Collins
This is a more conservative trade for the Lakers. Let’s say they want to prioritize the long-term approach and don’t see anything on the open market worth coughing up a first-round pick. I’d be interested in seeing them do something like this.
The Jazz would be getting rid of John Collins’ contract — which has a $27 million player option for next season — and roping in Kessler to sweeten the deal. For their trouble, they’d receive a load of second-round picks and take on some of the Lakers multi-year deals in Vincent and Vanderbilt.
From a basketball perspective, this gives the Jazz more room to play their intriguing rookie big man, Kyle Filipowski, and further see how he pairs with Lauri Markkanen. The Lakers can see how the 23-year-old Kessler fits alongside Davis. Collins, meanwhile, could serve as a bigger wing defender and has shot 37 percent from deep since the start of last season.
