The former Los Angeles Lakers forward has agreed to sign a two-way contract with the New York Knicks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who cited Knecht’s agents at Excel Sports Management.
The move gives Knecht a fresh start after the Lakers waived the former first-round pick ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
New York is taking a chance on a player who showed scoring potential during his rookie season but struggled to maintain a consistent role in Los Angeles.
Dalton Knecht Gets a Fresh Start in New York
Knecht, selected No. 17 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, entered the league after an impressive college career at Tennessee. His shooting ability and scoring instincts made him an intriguing addition to the Lakers, and he showed promise during his first NBA season.
As a rookie, Knecht averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 78 games, including 16 starts. He shot 46.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range, establishing himself as a potential perimeter scoring option.
However, his opportunities diminished during his second season. Knecht averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 54 games, shooting 34.2% from beyond the arc in 10.2 minutes per contest. A trade that would have sent him and Cam Reddish to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams fell through and Knecht seemed to be a lost player following his unplanned return to the Lakers.
The Lakers ultimately waived him as they finalized their roster for the new season.
What Knecht Could Bring to the Knicks
Knecht gives New York another young wing with the ability to stretch the floor and create offense through perimeter shooting. If he can rediscover the confidence and scoring touch he displayed during his rookie campaign, he could become a useful depth option for the Knicks.
A two-way contract provides a pathway for Knecht to continue developing while splitting his availability between the NBA team and its G League affiliate, subject to league rules.
The deal is also an opportunity for the former Tennessee standout to prove that his reduced role in Los Angeles did not define his potential as a professional player.
A New Chapter for the Former First-Round Pick
For Knecht, the move to New York represents a chance to reset his career just two seasons after entering the league as a first-round selection.
The Knicks will be hoping the 6-foot-6 forward can recapture the shooting touch that made him an intriguing prospect coming out of college. For Knecht, the objective is straightforward: make the most of his next opportunity and work his way toward a more permanent NBA role.
What do you think? Can Dalton Knecht revive his NBA career with the New York Knicks?
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