Imago
Credits: Imagn
Imago
Credits: Imagn
One Lakers youngster with a huge chip on his shoulder proved that he either has something against the Utah Jazz or JJ Redick. Simply because he made a very big point today. Dalton Knecht walked off from the Los Angeles Lakers’ regular-season finale with a season best in a campaign in which he was written off. LA completed its 2025-26 sweep of the Utah Jazz (4-0) with a 131-107 win, with the supporting cast playing at an overall high level. For the first time since that trade recall, though, we saw traces of the old Knecht, which thrilled the fanbase, who didn’t hesitate to let Redick know their true feelings.
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With stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined due to late-season injuries, the head coach turned to his bench, giving Knecht, Bronny James, and Adou Thiero a rare opportunity to showcase their talent. Knecht demonstrated that elite shooting touch that made him a first-round selection in 2024. We all had thought he was drafted by LA for a specific role; however, his drop in minutes from last season to this one was a complete head-scratcher.
But when given the opportunity against the Jazz, the result was a 17-point masterclass in limited minutes. Knecht arrived in the fourth quarter and put on a neat offensive display, shooting a surgical 6-for-9 from the floor and 5-for-6 from deep. He also had two rebounds, four assists, and a steal, making all 12 of those minutes count.
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Despite the blowout win, though, the atmosphere at Crypto.com Arena and across social media was one of frustration. That’s because Knecht has impressed in the limited G League exposure he has received. The 24-year-old is averaging 18.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 31.3 minutes across three games for the South Bay Lakers this season. And the fanbase has a big bone to pick with Redick for not giving the role players enough opportunities.
Redick has had to change his rotations all season to cope with injuries to the star players. Many are not convinced by the coach’s decision to trust Jake LaRavia with extended minutes, who started 43 of 82 games this season, while Knecht has fallen to the end of the rotation. Redick has time and again praised LaRavia’s shooting and the physicality he brings to the game while getting deflections, steals, and making plays. Earlier in the season, he also called the Laker one of “our most consistent” defenders after Marcus Smart.
In fact, if Redick were to choose between Bronny James, Drew Timme, and Knecht in the rotation, past evidence suggests the coach wouldn’t trust Knecht in any situation. His 10.2 minutes per game (mostly garbage minutes) are enough to prove it. Take, for instance, the last five games in which the Purple and Gold have missed Doncic, Reaves, and Smart, with LeBron James doing the heavy lifting. Bronny has played an average of 17 minutes during this set of games, while Knecht got 9.5 minutes alongside one DNP.
While the Lakers head into the postseason as the No. 4 seed to face the Houston Rockets, fans fear that Redick is lowering the Lakers’ ceiling by refusing to maximize the 24-year-old’s potential. Knecht has spent the majority of this season commuting between South Bay and the main club. Sadly, according to a trade report, his time in LA appears to be coming to an end, and the fanbase is blaming Redick for it, too, hoping he’d be open to tweaking his strategy in the postseason. But will he?
Angry, hopeful, dejected fans tell JJ Redick how to utilize Dalton Knecht
LakeShow’s reaction to Dalton Knecht’s season-best was genuinely something. “What more signs does JJ Redick need to give more minutes to Dalton Knecht and Adou Thiero? He gives way more minutes to Bronny, who’s irrelevant,” a fan said. Bronny had an impressive 11 points and four assists tonight. Those who feel the forward’s talent is getting wasted on the bench claimed, “It’s almost like dalton knecht is phenomenal at basketball if he could just get in the f—ing game.”
The statistical reality of the Utah game remains the strongest argument for Knecht’s inclusion in the postseason plans. Apart from the last game, he also showed glimpses of a really high-scoring ceiling last season, scoring 32 points to beat Denver and 27 against Portland. In Knecht’s final college season with Tennessee, he averaged 26 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 40% from long range in the NCAA Tournament. Surely, a player with these numbers deserves more than garbage minutes?
Imago
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick waits with forward Dalton Knecht (4) to get into the game in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
As another fan succinctly put it, “Bro, Dalton Knecht got 17 points in 12 minutes of action. JJ needs to trust his players.”
Earlier this week, Redick’s comments alarmed Lakers fans because he sounded as if he had thrown in the towel after Doncic and Reaves’ injuries. “Let’s not discredit what this group did for the regular season, you know, regardless of what happens in the playoffs,” the coach said, and the word ‘regardless’ irked many. Tonight proved to fans that LeBron could have a worthy supporting cast in the absence of the primary playmakers (if) Redick gave them the chance.
Most want to see Knecht’s floor-spacing alongside Luke Kennard’s efficient shooting. They even gave Redick ideas, with one of them saying, “And JJ could have him move around off screens and cut to the hoop instead of stand around in the corner…. How does jj not know that Dalton is a rhythm movement shooter not a stand around guy.”
One suggested a trial by fire approach, “JJ Redick should bring Dalton Knecht in early Game 1 & see if he can hit a few 3s. If not DNP him forever.” The very explicit reactions traced it back to February 2025, when the Lakers attempted to send Knecht to the Hornets for Mark Williams. The trade didn’t pan out, and they recalled him. However, it put a huge chip on his shoulder, and fans blame the Lakers for tearing down his confidence.
But NBA Insider Jovan Buha reported the Lakers will shop Knecht on the trade market in the offseason. He is under contract for $4.2 million next season and has a team option in his contract for the 2027-28 campaign.
LakeShow’s frustration even took an ominous turn when a frustrated fan predicted dire consequences for underestimating Knecht. “JJ Redick & Lakers organization will pay for what they have done to Dalton Knecht. Hope he goes to a rival and s—s on the Lakers in the postseason next year lol.”
Whether Redick takes the fans’ coaching suggestions or not, we will see come April 18.
