The Lakers tried to find a trade for Dalton Knecht before cutting him loose. Finding a team willing to take him at an acceptable price was another matter.
The Jazz, Bulls and Bucks were among the teams Los Angeles contacted about the former first-round pick before waiving him Monday, according to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.
Milwaukee’s asking price apparently ended those discussions. Per Siegel, the Bucks wanted multiple second-round picks or a first-round pick swap in a deal involving Knecht and Jericho Sims.
The Lakers couldn’t complete that exchange one-for-one and weren’t willing to surrender the draft assets to move Knecht’s salary. They ultimately waived him, allowing the 25-year-old wing to become a free agent after clearing waivers Wednesday.
By Friday, Knecht had signed a two-way contract with the Knicks, who waived Kevin McCullar Jr. to open a spot.
It’s a considerable change in circumstances for the No. 17 pick in the 2024 draft. Knecht went from a potential rotation scorer with the Lakers to a player they were discussing attaching draft compensation to move.
Now the Knicks get to evaluate him without giving up anything in a trade. Knecht gets another opportunity, though a two-way deal means he’ll have to work his way back toward a regular NBA role.
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