Lakers Dalton Knecht trade pitch reunites Luka Doncic with $30 million Slam Dunk champion

Lakers Dalton Knecht trade pitch reunites Luka Doncic with $30 million Slam Dunk champion originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Lakers are once again attempting to wash their hands of Dalton Knecht. 

Los Angeles traded the former No. 17 overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams midway through the 2024-25 season, but the Lakers rescinded the deal at the last second. After Knecht reportedly met with Los Angeles’ front office this past January to make a formal trade request, the Lakers sought a deal that worked for all parties.

They ultimately failed to get it done, extending Knecht’s Lakers stint for at least a few more months. Fast forward to early July, and Los Angeles is making another valiant effort to send the Tennessee product packing.

In a trade idea crafted by Lakers insider Jovan Buha, Los Angeles would finally cut ties with Knecht in favor of a Luka Doncic reunion with a 29-year-old Slam Dunk champion. 

“We talked about JJ (Derrick Jones Jr.), I think that’s the best you could do (in a trade centered on Knecht, Jake LaRavia, Jaden Hardy, and several second-round picks),” Buha stated Friday. “I don’t even know if you could do that, though, but if you could do that, for sure.”

Jones’ high-flying and offensive contributions, combined with his stout perimeter defense, helped the Dallas Mavericks defy the odds in 2023-24 and reach the NBA Finals as the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. 

Jones averaged 8.6 points and 3.3 rebounds during his lone season with the Mavericks before signing a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. In addition to continuing to display his elite athleticism in various instances and valuable defensive chops, Jones has also taken a positive step forward in the three-point shooting department, shooting above 34% from beyond the arc for two consecutive seasons (35.6% from in 2024-25 and 35.9% last season. 

Obviously, the UNLV product is still working out the kinks in that area after a slow start to his career. That said, there’s a good chance Jones’ game could soon pique the Lakers’ interest, considering that Jonathan Kuminga, one of the franchise’s top wing targets, possesses a similar skill set.

More NBA news:

• Lakers sign perfect Dalton Knecht replacement after four-team trade involving Knicks

• Spurs predicted to outbid Warriors for $101 million Lakers star, four-time NBA champion

• Luka Doncic sends clear message to Lakers on roster they can’t afford to ignore