LeBron James’ teammate Dalton Knecht shares honest thoughts after Lakers’ failed trade with Hornets

In a disappointing turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets were unable to complete a trade involving Mark Williams and Dalton Knecht after Williams failed his physical. As a result, the Lakers have kept Knecht on the roster, and he has continued to contribute alongside LeBron James in recent games.

Despite actively shopping Knecht, the rookie has proven to be a valuable asset in recent matchups, complementing both Luka Doncic and LeBron within JJ Redick’s game plan. However, the Lakers’ decision to explore a trade involving him with the Hornets was not well received by the fanbase.

Now, weeks after the failed trade, Knecht made a strong statement about his role with the Lakers following their impressive win over the Los Angeles Clippers. “I just stay confident on the court. Just sticking with it and playing out there confidently,” Knecht told reporters after the game.

The 23-year-old also reflected on his performance and growing role with the team. “My teammates know what I can do, and I’m just trying to stay consistent for them and make life easier for my teammates,” he added.

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates his dunk with teammate Dalton Knecht #4 while playing the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup at Crypto.com Arena on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Knecht’s thoughts on trade eumors

As trade discussions involving Knecht remained focused on his game. Reflecting on his failed move, he acknowledged the business side of the sport while emphasizing his commitment to playing at the highest level.

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“Rob called me and said, ‘You’re coming back,'” Knecht recalled. “I was just excited to get out there and hoop, no matter where I ended up. I told [Lakers coach] JJ [Redick] and Rob that I understand it’s a business. At the end of the day, I just want to play basketball.“

LeBron’s take on Dalton Knecht

LeBron James has been vocal about his admiration for Dalton Knecht dating back to his college days. During Knecht’s standout season at Tennessee in 2024, LeBron praised his talent, mentioning him alongside his son, Bronny James, as one of the best collegiate players he had seen.

Four months ago, LeBron doubled down on his previous statements after Knecht delivered one of his best performances of the current season. “I don’t know. The same s** I said last year. Everybody on the internet calls me a liar all the time, says I lie about every f**ing thing. So what am I now? I’ve been saying it,” LeBron told reporters.