Lakers' JJ Redick reveals harsh reason Dalton Knecht won't make roster as preseason ends originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For much of the summer, it has been clear that the Los Angeles Lakers may have spent a little too much as they put together their roster. The team ended up with 16 players, one over the limit, meaning someone would have to be cut if the Lakers couldn't make a trade before the regular season.
With the season now just days away, the Lakers still have 16 players on the roster. Earlier in the summer, three players appeared to be on the chopping block.
“Clearly, the Lakers need to dump someone, and I think it's going to be one of three players," Lakers insider Jovan Buha said. "It's going to either be Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, or Bronny James."
As the preseason has progressed, it has become increasingly clear which player could be traded or waived. Dalton Knecht has been viewed as the odd man out for some time.
“My understanding is a consolidation trade. Obviously, it would be two-for-one, three-for-one, or three-for-two is a little more complicated," Buha said. "So I think the most straightforward one would be two-for-one…And depending on the configuration of the trade, it could be a version of two of the back-end guys, let's say Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy, for a backup center."
Knecht’s playing time has plummeted, leaving him in an unfortunate position with the Lakers. On Friday night, head coach JJ Redick finally offered some insight into why the former first-round pick is in danger of not making the roster.
“I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the injuries we had. I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings and he’s in a tough spot right now,” Redick said.
Redick believes Knecht didn't make the most of his opportunities, although that explanation may not tell the whole story. His comments suggest that the former Tennessee Volunteer could be the odd man out if the Lakers decide to make a roster move.
Time is running out for Los Angeles to find a trade partner for Knecht. The once-prized shooter in Redick’s offense is now on the brink of being let go. It is unfortunate that he has reached this point so quickly, but it is fair to question whether the Lakers gave him a genuine opportunity after his rookie season.
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