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Why Lakers, Bucks Couldn’t Agree On A Dalton Knecht Trade
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- Why Lakers, Bucks Couldn’t Agree On A Dalton Knecht Trade
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers looked set to part ways with Dalton Knecht by the Oct. 19 roster deadline, with the only real question being how they'd go about it. Knecht had been on the trade block for years , but the Lakers were unable to agree on a deal and eventually waived the forward .
Just days before, though, the Lakers reportedly held exploratory trade talks with the Milwaukee Bucks involving Knecht . They were interested in Bucks big man Jericho Sims, but obviously no deal materialized, and NBA insider Jake Fischer has now explained why.
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"There were indeed talks with the Lakers about a swap headlined by Dalton Knecht and Jericho Sims, as The Stein Line first revealed on Oct. 15, but sources say those discussions were derailed by Milwaukee's intent to extract two future second-round picks in the deal and the Lakers' insistence that they part with only one in exchange for Sims," Fischer wrote.
The Lakers aren't flush with draft capital after giving up two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to the Utah Jazz for Walker Kessler . They did get two second-round picks and Jaden Hardy from the Washington Wizards in the Deandre Ayton trade, but weren't interested in giving two away right after for Sims.
The Lakers can only offer a 2032 first-round pick swap and three second-round picks in trades currently. Giving up two second-rounders before the season starts might not have been ideal.
Sims would have been a good addition to the Lakers, though. Veteran Kevon Looney has struggled and is unfortunately showing he might not be a viable backup for Kessler at the center spot.
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Sims averaged 5.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for the Bucks in 2025-26. The 28-year-old isn't a game-changer, but is the kind of athletic rim-runner that fits well with Luka Doncic .
It will be interesting to see if the Lakers revisit a Sims trade before the Feb. 11 trade deadline. If Looney doesn't show improvement, they will have to bring in a new backup center.
Dalton Knecht Has Begun A New Chapter In New York
As for Knecht, well, he didn't remain on the market long. The New York Knicks signed the 25-year-old to a two-way contract on Friday. To go from being the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to a two-way player in 2026 isn't ideal, but Knecht is excited about the opportunity .
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"It just felt like the best opportunity," Knecht said. "I talked to the coaching staff, [I've] known them for a while, so it was good. Thought this would be a great fit, and I'm excited to be here."
Knecht will be spending a lot of time with the Knicks' G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks. It will be interesting to see whether he is able to revive his career.
Knecht showed promise at the start of his Lakers tenure, but hasn't quite looked the same since the infamous rescinded Mark Williams trade. He averaged just 4.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game for the Lakers in 2025-26, and was barely in the rotation. It has been quite a fall from grace for the former Tennessee star.
