Multiple NBA Teams Interested in Dalton Knecht After Lakers Cut

Dalton Knecht has drawn interest from multiple NBA franchises, including the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, and Toronto Raptors, just three days after being cut by Los Angeles, Basket USA reported. The 25-year-old wing is weighing his options on the free-agent market after his stint in Los Angeles ended with a significant drop in playing time and production.

Knecht enters the market following a difficult second professional season where his averages slipped to 4.2 points per game across 54 appearances, down from 9.1 points per game during his rookie campaign. His future with the Lakers grew increasingly tenuous as the organization faced roster constraints, eventually leading to his release following failed trade discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks regarding Jericho Sims.

BIDDING WAR EXPLODES! 3 Teams Chase Dalton Knecht — Kings & Raptors Move In!

Franchises Eyeing Two-Way Deals for the Former First-Round Pick

League insiders have quickly mapped out potential destinations for the 17th overall selection of the 2024 NBA Draft. Ian Begley of SNY reported that the New York Knicks are among the interested parties monitoring the wing’s availability. However, the defending champions must make roster adjustments since all three of their two-way contract slots are currently occupied despite having an open spot on their standard 15-man roster.

Marc Stein reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves have also emerged as a suitor, potentially offering a fresh start to a player who flashed considerable offensive promise during his early months in the league. Meanwhile, Jake Fischer reported interest from the Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors. Sacramento is reportedly evaluating Knecht’s profile alongside Sean Pedulla for their final available two-way contract. Toronto is similarly monitoring both players alongside Micah Peavy.

Nba austin reaves dalton knecht luka doncic — Photo: parlons-basket.com

Evaluating the Roster Pressure in Los Angeles

The path toward Knecht’s departure developed under strict league deadlines and changing internal expectations. Parlons-basket.com noted that Los Angeles faced mounting pressure to trim its roster from 16 to 15 guaranteed contracts ahead of an October 19 deadline, alongside an upcoming November 2 decision on whether to pick up a roughly $6.45 million team option for the 2027–28 season.

Analyst Brett Siegel pointed out that rebuilding franchises would likely view a young shooter as a low-risk gamble if he became available. Knecht’s rookie metrics—which included a 37.6% success rate from beyond the arc over 78 games—stand in sharp contrast to his sophomore struggles, where his three-point percentage dropped to 34.2% and his total minutes plummeted from 1,494 to 553. Whether an organization chooses to lock him into a two-way contract to bridge time between the NBA and the G League remains the primary question for his immediate career trajectory.