Dalton Knecht’s Lakers Contract Option Exercised for 2026-27 NBA Season Reports Say
The Los Angeles Lakers have officially exercised the rookie-scale team option for Dalton Knecht for the 2026-27 NBA season. Reports indicate that this decision will secure Knecht a salary of $4.2 million for that year.
Background on Dalton Knecht
Knecht was selected by the Lakers as the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He gained recognition as the SEC Player of the Year during his time at Tennessee. In his rookie season, he showcased his skills by appearing in 78 games, starting in 16 of them.
Rookie Season Performance
- Average Points: 9.1
- Average Rebounds: 2.8
- Three-Pointers Made: 1.6 per game
- Playing Time: 19.2 minutes per game
- Shooting Percentage: 46.1% from the field
- Shooting Percentage: 37.6% from three-point range
Knecht had a noteworthy rookie season, including seven games where he scored 20 points or more. His highest-scoring game came in November against the Utah Jazz, where he achieved a career-high of 37 points.
Trade and Team Dynamics
During the previous season, Knecht was nearly traded to the Charlotte Hornets in a deal involving fellow player Cam Reddish and draft picks. This transaction would have brought center Mark Williams to the Lakers. However, the trade was canceled when Williams failed a physical examination.
As the deadline approached, the Lakers decided to retain Knecht, allowing them to keep a young, promising talent. In the offseason, the team addressed its center position by signing Deandre Ayton, which maintained Knecht’s role in the team’s core.
Opportunities Ahead
With LeBron James expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 season due to sciatica, the Lakers will rely on players like Knecht to step up. Alongside stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, Knecht’s contributions could be crucial during this pivotal time.
The Lakers will kick off their regular season by facing the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
