Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht has found a new NBA home just days after the Lakers waived their 2024 first-round pick. The New York Knicks agreed to sign the 6-foot-6 forward to a two-way contract, his agents at Excel Sports Management told ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday.
Knecht was selected No. 17 overall in 2024 following a standout junior season at the University of Tennessee. He will now look for a fresh start with the defending champions and try to tap into the promise he showed as a rookie in Los Angeles. During a nine-game stretch in November 2024-25, he averaged 18.9 points on 55.4% shooting (52.2% from three), 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
His overall production has been inconsistent. Knecht finished his rookie season averaging 9.1 points on 46.1% shooting (37.6% from three) and 2.8 rebounds in 19.2 minutes across 78 games. In his second year, his playing time dropped to 10.2 minutes in 54 games, and he averaged 4.2 points on 45.5% shooting and 1.4 rebounds.
The 25-year-old also drew interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves, sources told Charania. To make room for him, New York will have to waive one of its two-way players. The Knicks currently occupy their three allotted two-way spots with guard Jaden Akins and forwards Kevin McCullar Jr. and Tyler Nickel.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing