Dalton Knecht has signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks after being waived by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Knicks made room for Knecht by releasing Kevin McCullar Jr., indicating a strategic roster decision rather than a straightforward replacement. Knecht, a former first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had a promising rookie season with the Lakers, averaging 9.8 points and 2.8 rebounds, but saw his playing time and production decline significantly in his second season.
Knecht's tenure with the Lakers was marked by a strong start, including a nine-game stretch where he averaged 18.9 points, but he struggled to maintain that performance, averaging only 4.2 points in his second year. Despite this inconsistency, his overall averages of 7.1 points and 2.2 rebounds over 132 games suggest potential that the Knicks hope to harness. Knecht expressed gratitude to Lakers fans in a farewell letter, highlighting the mixed emotions surrounding his departure.
The Knicks' decision to offer Knecht a two-way contract allows them to evaluate his capabilities without a significant commitment, as they look to determine which version of the player they will get moving forward.