LOS ANGELES — As the NBA season heats up, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick delivered a decisive message about second-year wing Dalton Knecht, reaffirming the young forward’s place in the rotation amid a team still searching for offensive consistency. The announcement, made Friday ahead of the Lakers’ matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies, signals a shift in both Knecht’s expected playing time and Redick’s broader strategy to inject outside shooting into Los Angeles’ undermanned lineup.
After a rookie campaign in which Knecht showed flashes of scoring punch, the Tennessee alum’s sophomore season had been marked by uncertainty. His minutes dwindled under Redick’s rotation, and assignments to the G League South Bay Lakers highlighted a developmental detour for the 2024 17th overall draft pick. But with several key players sidelined by injuries, Redick is opening the door for Knecht to stake his claim as a regular contributor.
Early Promise and Sophomore Struggles
Dalton Knecht’s NBA journey began with promise when the Lakers selected him in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. In his debut season, he averaged double-digit minutes over 78 games and showcased his sharpshooting ability, including standout performances such as a 37-point explosion with nine three-pointers against the Utah Jazz — a historic display for a Lakers rookie.
Yet that early potential has been difficult to sustain. Through the first months of the 2025–26 season, Knecht’s production dipped. Redick’s rotation decisions relegated him to minimal playing time in many games, often limited to single-digit minutes during stretches and prompting assignments to the G League for valuable reps.
The move to South Bay was not uncommon for young players seeking rhythm, but it stoked questions about Knecht’s long-term fit in the Lakers’ rotation. Despite his renowned three-point shooting — long a premium skill in the modern NBA — concerns about his defensive consistency and overall role integration contributed to his bench status.
Redick’s Strategic Reassessment
This week, however, Redick offered a different tone. Speaking with reporters ahead of Friday’s game, the Lakers head coach detailed a plan in which Knecht would receive “meaningful minutes” in upcoming matchups — not merely as a token rotation piece, but as a contributor capable of helping address the Lakers’ offensive struggles.
“It’s important we find shooters who can impact spacing and scoring without the ball stagnating,” Redick said, pointing to Knecht’s knack for converting looks from deep. “Dalton’s work ethic and potential stretch-five shooting make him an intriguing option for us, especially given our current injury situation.”
The Lakers’ offense has sputtered at times this season, particularly from beyond the arc — a problem Redick has openly acknowledged. Los Angeles has hovered near the bottom of the league in three-point percentage, and with key veterans like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura sidelined, finding consistent perimeter shooting has become a priority.
With Vincent Gabe Vincent also out with a back issue, the Lakers’ opportunities to experiment with lineups have expanded. Redick’s decision to trust Knecht with more minutes represents both a vote of confidence in the second-year wing and a pragmatic response to Los Angeles’ current roster constraints.
A Chance to Reassert Himself
Knecht’s return to extended minutes comes at a pivotal juncture in his development. At 24, he’s older than many of his draft peers, yet his blend of shooting mechanics and athleticism suggests high upside if he can refine his defensive discipline and on-ball IQ. Redick’s remarks indicate that the coaching staff believes Knecht’s best basketball may still be ahead of him.
“For a young player, confidence is everything,” Redick continued. “Our goal is to give Dalton a platform — game time, structure, and clearly defined roles — so he can produce for us and grow as a pro.”
Recent games will be crucial for Knecht’s trajectory. The Lakers’ backcourt rotation has been fluid due to injuries and inconsistent performances, allowing younger players opportunities they might not have had otherwise. If Knecht can deliver timely scoring and credible defense, he may solidify a consistent role in an otherwise unsettled lineup.
What This Means for the Lakers
Los Angeles’ Spring campaign has been defined by struggle and adaptation. After trading for multiple stars last season and enduring lineup turnover, the Lakers have seen both exhilarating highs and alarming lows. Early in the 2025–26 season, Redick navigated a delicate balance between veteran leadership and player development, often favoring experience when the stakes were high.
Now, necessity — in the form of injuries and offensive stagnation — is forcing a recalibration. What once might have been speculative minutes for Knecht are now genuine opportunities for impact. If Knecht can thrive, the Lakers may have uncovered one of the rotation shooters they’ve lacked — a player who can stretch defenses and alleviate pressure on the team’s primary scorers.
Yet the stakes remain high. NBA rotations are unforgiving, and prolonged inefficiency or defensive lapses could once again relegate Knecht to bench status or deeper developmental assignments. The Lakers’ coaching staff, front office and fans alike will be watching his production closely.
Voices Inside and Outside the Locker Room
Several Lakers players have publicly supported Knecht’s growth, noting that confidence and consistency often come hand in hand. “He’s got the kind of shot that can change games,” one teammate recently remarked, highlighting Knecht’s above-average catch-and-shoot ability from deep — a skill that could be transformative if integrated effectively into Los Angeles’ offensive sets.
Analysts, too, have weighed in. Some media voices have suggested that Knecht’s presence in the rotation could be a “dark horse” solution to Los Angeles’ three-point woes. Others argue that without defensive reliability, Knecht’s offensive gifts might not be enough to justify sustained minutes. Nonetheless, his updated role underscores a broader narrative: the Lakers are willing to experiment in pursuit of balance.
Looking Ahead
As the Lakers prepare for a packed January schedule, all eyes will be on how Redick deploys his roster and whether Knecht can seize this latest opportunity. With the Lakers eyeing playoff positioning and battling for offensive identity, periods of clarity and chaos often interchange week to week.
For Knecht, this stretch could shape his future. Whether he becomes a rotation mainstay or an interchangeable piece depends on his ability to couple efficient shooting with credible defense. This mix has eluded many promising wings before him.
At its heart, Redick’s announcement is about faith and timing. In a league defined by matchups, momentum and adaptability, giving a young player a chance at meaningful minutes is as much a strategic choice as it is a developmental gamble — one that might pay dividends for both Knecht and the Lakers in the weeks to come.