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Lakers’ Dalton Knecht reflects on return since rescinded trade with Hornets: ‘It felt like a movie’
By Jovan Buha
Feb 13, 2025
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SALT LAKE CITY — Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht said “it felt like a movie” after being traded to the Charlotte Hornets and then back to the Lakers after Los Angeles rescinded the trade three days later over a failed physical by Hornets center Mark Williams.
While shooting free throws at the Lakers’ practice facility on Feb. 5, Knecht was called into the office of Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka and informed of the deal.
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“It was hard,” Knecht said Wednesday after his first game back in the Lakers’ 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz. “I got drafted here, so L.A. means a lot. So, hearing that and then I go to Charlotte in the morning with one of my guys and get introduced and start meeting all those people and then fly out to Detroit to what was called my ‘debut game,’ to then, now I’m flying back to L.A. Rob (Pelinka) called me and said, ‘You’re coming back.’ ”
Knecht said he met with Pelinka and Lakers coach JJ Redick upon returning to Los Angeles and told them that he just wanted to get back on the floor and move past the situation.
“I get it’s a business, so at the end of the day, I told them let’s just go play basketball,” Knecht said.
Knecht didn’t land in Los Angeles until late Sunday night, so Pelinka and Redick decided Knecht miss Monday’s blowout win over the Jazz and instead make his return on Wednesday in the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break.
Knecht shared that his teammates embraced him with open arms as each player hugged him and asked him how he was doing. Then, they jokingly referred to his first game back as his “debut” game again.
Knecht scored 10 points (3-of-7 shooting) and had one steal in 17 minutes in his return.
“It was a crazy time,” Knecht said of his journey. “Not too many people have done that, come back (after being traded). But at the end of the day, I just wanted to hoop.”
The biggest difference between Knecht’s previous game as a Laker on Feb. 4 and his return against the Jazz was the presence of Luka Dončić, who Knecht played with for the first time.
“It’s crazy,” Knecht said. “The passes that he was making out there, it’s crazy. They told me the first thing back is no matter what, when he has the ball, be ready to shoot. He’s going to get it to you, no matter what. And seeing a couple of passes to AR (Austin Reaves), Bron (LeBron), he wasn’t even looking. So it was crazy. I’m excited.”
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As for the Hornets’ dispute with the NBA about the Lakers rescinding the trade, Knecht said he hasn’t heard any updates but is ready for whatever comes next.
“I had no clue, to be honest,” Knecht said. “I’m just doing what I love to do, going out there and playing. And like I said, whatever happens, happens. I’m just going to compete hard wherever I go, and hopefully, it’s L.A. Whatever happens, I’m just going to go out there and compete. I don’t care about anything. I just want to go play.”
The Lakers enter the All-Star break at 32-20 and No. 5 in the Western Conference, having won 12 of their past 15 games.
While shooting free throws at the Lakers’ practice facility on Feb. 5, Knecht was called into the office of Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka and informed of the deal.
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“It was hard,” Knecht said Wednesday after his first game back in the Lakers’ 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz. “I got drafted here, so L.A. means a lot. So, hearing that and then I go to Charlotte in the morning with one of my guys and get introduced and start meeting all those people and then fly out to Detroit to what was called my ‘debut game,’ to then, now I’m flying back to L.A. Rob (Pelinka) called me and said, ‘You’re coming back.’ ”
Knecht said he met with Pelinka and Lakers coach JJ Redick upon returning to Los Angeles and told them that he just wanted to get back on the floor and move past the situation.
“I get it’s a business, so at the end of the day, I told them let’s just go play basketball,” Knecht said.
Knecht didn’t land in Los Angeles until late Sunday night, so Pelinka and Redick decided Knecht miss Monday’s blowout win over the Jazz and instead make his return on Wednesday in the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break.
Knecht shared that his teammates embraced him with open arms as each player hugged him and asked him how he was doing. Then, they jokingly referred to his first game back as his “debut” game again.
Knecht scored 10 points (3-of-7 shooting) and had one steal in 17 minutes in his return.
“It was a crazy time,” Knecht said of his journey. “Not too many people have done that, come back (after being traded). But at the end of the day, I just wanted to hoop.”
The biggest difference between Knecht’s previous game as a Laker on Feb. 4 and his return against the Jazz was the presence of Luka Dončić, who Knecht played with for the first time.
“It’s crazy,” Knecht said. “The passes that he was making out there, it’s crazy. They told me the first thing back is no matter what, when he has the ball, be ready to shoot. He’s going to get it to you, no matter what. And seeing a couple of passes to AR (Austin Reaves), Bron (LeBron), he wasn’t even looking. So it was crazy. I’m excited.”
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As for the Hornets’ dispute with the NBA about the Lakers rescinding the trade, Knecht said he hasn’t heard any updates but is ready for whatever comes next.
“I had no clue, to be honest,” Knecht said. “I’m just doing what I love to do, going out there and playing. And like I said, whatever happens, happens. I’m just going to compete hard wherever I go, and hopefully, it’s L.A. Whatever happens, I’m just going to go out there and compete. I don’t care about anything. I just want to go play.”
The Lakers enter the All-Star break at 32-20 and No. 5 in the Western Conference, having won 12 of their past 15 games.
The 2024-25 NBA Midseason Survey
Updated Finals picks? One trade we’d love to see before the deadline? To mark the midpoint of this NBA season, our staff gathered to answer five burning questions for the rest of the way.
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Brons press conference with the media is about in an hour. He hasn't been at any events prior to this. You should fully expect the clips of it to go more viral than last night's festivities.
He need to smarten up and stop nutting in 38 year old baby mamas for start….or at least not send stupid ass texts. Gonna have to grow up faster than the average 23 year old they coming…..
Elon Musk disagrees. He nuts in hoes all the time and is doing fine.
This hot dick nigga just wants to play basketball and not have his real life in everyone's business!
This what???
Draymond is still playing and he already has old man "get off my lawn" and "back in day vibes". Sad he doesnt see how bad its been for the game with 90s players already playing that role. Hes too overly concerned with hearing himself talk and showing everyone how "smart" he is.
NBA All-Star Game winnings:
- Kenny's Young Stars vs. Chuck's Global Stars - 8:20 p.m. ET
- Shaq's OGs vs. Candace's Rising Stars - 9 p.m. ET
- Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 9:45 p.m. ET
@therealjondoe
Like I was telling you before
Look how they just tried to do Durant.
They didn't tell him or his agent they were shopping him.
Just like they did Luka and AD
and we received even MORE confirmation LeBron was not informed specifically because they want to get Klutch out
It's a concerted effort by owners and executives to get "control " back from players moving forward.
Like I was telling you before
Look how they just tried to do Durant.
They didn't tell him or his agent they were shopping him.
Just like they did Luka and AD
and we received even MORE confirmation LeBron was not informed specifically because they want to get Klutch out
It's a concerted effort by owners and executives to get "control " back from players moving forward.
I ain't pocket watching but they BETTER donate some of that money .
I am pocket watching and that's barely club and bottle service money to some of the players.