Dalton Knecht joins Knicks on two-way deal just days after Lakers waive him
Dalton Knecht is wasting no time getting back to the NBA. Just days after the Los Angeles Lakers waived their 2024 first-round pick, the New York Knicks have agreed to sign the 6-foot-6 forward to a two-way contract, his agents at Excel Sports Management confirmed.
The 25-year-old Knecht, drafted with the No. 17 pick out of Tennessee, will look for a fresh start with the defending champs. He showed serious promise during his rookie campaign in L.A., averaging 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds over 78 games. His best stretch came in November, when he averaged 18.9 points on 55.4% shooting, including 52.2% from deep, over a nine-game stretch.
However, his second season saw his role shrink significantly, with his minutes dropping to 10.2 per game and his scoring falling to 4.2 points. Now, Knecht has a new opportunity in New York. The Knicks, who also had to fend off interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves, will need to waive one of their current two-way players—Jaden Akins, Kevin McCullar Jr., or Tyler Nickel—to make room for him.