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Report: Los Angeles Lakers trade Dalton Knecht to Charlotte Hornets

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•about 10 hours•

GrantRamey

Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images) Nov 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

Dalton Knecht is on the move. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported late Wednesday night that the NBA rookie and former Tennessee superstar is being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Charlotte Hornets.

The deal included Knecht, Cam Reddish and a 2031 unprotected first-round pick going from Los Angeles to Charlotte for center Mark Williams. 

The Lakers on Saturday night traded center Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster deal for Luka Doncic. 

Dalton Knecht this season: 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 46.5% FG, 35.8% 3FG

Knecht in 48 games this season is averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 20.7 minutes per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 35.8% from the 3-point line. 

In Charlotte Knecht joins former Tennessee star Grant Williams, who is in his second season with the Hornets. Williams, the Charlotte native, is currently out after suffering a torn ACL in November. 

Knecht scored a season-high 37 points in a 124-118 win over the Utah Jazz in November, finish 9-for-12 from the 3-point line just three days after he scored 27 against the New Orleans Pelicans. 

He has scored 20 or more points in five games this season, including 24 against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 28. 

Knecht was the 17th overall pick in the NBA Draft in June, selected by the Lakers after he averaged 21.7 points in one-and-done All-American season at Tennessee. 

Dalton Knecht led NBA rookies in scoring during the preseason

He was the preseason’s leading rookie scorer, averaging 18.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assist per game while shooting 36% from the 3-point line. 

Knecht scored his 35 points in his final preseason game for the Lakers in an overtime win over the Suns in October, a game that included a run of 20 straight points from Knecht. 

“Are we surprised what he’s doing?” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes asked in October. “No, we’re not. Because he’s more athletic than people think. He works so hard and you just going to that he’s going to figure it out. Whatever they tell him he needs to do, he’s going work hard at doing that.”

Knecht was one of seven former Tennessee players on NBA rosters to open the season, joined by Tobias Harris (Detroit Pistons), Keon Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Julian Phillips (Chicago Bulls), Josh Richardson (Miami Heat), Jaden Springer (Boston Celtics) and Grant Williams (Charlotte Hornets). 

Knecht signed a rookie contract worth $18.4 million over four years, including an average salary of $4.6 million and $7.8 million guaranteed at signing. He’ll be a restricted free agent in 2028-29, with Charlotte having club options in 2026-27 and 2027-28. His salary goes up to $6.45 million in the final year of the deal in 2027-28.

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