A year ago, Rob Pelinka called Dalton Knecht “a top-10 talent” and “a perfect fit” for the Lakers. Fast forward one rookie season, and he’s nearly been traded twice—once in a rescinded deal that fell apart after Mark Williams failed his Lakers physical. The second? Still brewing.
After the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas and brought in five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic, the Lakers were left with a glaring hole at the five. Pelinka’s first attempt to fill it with Williams flamed out. Now, he’s back at the phones—this time eyeing a fresh duo: a 6’10 defensive anchor in Onyeka Okongwu, and a rising All-Defensive menace nicknamed “The Box” — Toumani Camara.
But don’t get it twisted. This isn’t just roster tinkering. It’s damage control. The 2025 postseason showed that JJ Redick’s team wasn’t in “championship shape,” as he bluntly put it. The Luka-LeBron window is now. And if Dalton Knecht can’t be a piece of that puzzle, he might be the price to secure it. So, what’s next? Let’s break it down.
Granted, it was just Knecht’s rookie season. And the moments of glimmer were fascinating to watch. That 37-pointer with a single-game rookie record 9 three pointers in their 124-118 win over Utah still echoes on LA’s streets. But their defensive problems with Knecht on the floor are shockingly bad. The Lakers allowed 118.0 points per 100 possessions when he played, and he posted a –1.7 Defensive Box Plus/Minus, according to Basketball-Reference. Even in limited minutes, those metrics reflected a player still adjusting to the NBA’s defensive demands.
It’s clear that his lack of team-defense instincts and the Lakers’ defensive identity under JJ didn’t mesh. And that made him exposed to the rotation demon. The result? Getting his name put on the trade market. And clearly, that’s put Pelinka in a tough spot — does he gamble on Knecht’s raw upside and hope he grows into the team’s defensive identity? Or does he pull the trigger on a trade to bring in proven defenders who can help Luka and LeBron win now?
June 24, 2024, El Segundo, California, USA: V.P. of basketball operations and General manager, Rob Pelinka speaks during the introduction of JJ Redick to the media as the new LA Lakers head coach during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz on Monday June 24, 2024 at the Los Angeles Lakers UCLA Training Facility in El Segundo, California. JAVIER ROJAS/PI El Segundo USA – ZUMAp124 20240624_zaa_p124_030 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx
Nothing personal, it’s just business. But his numbers are still worthy of confidence. Any team would be lucky to have a 9.1/2.8 average in just 19.2 minutes per game. With their own first-round picks tied up for the foreseeable future, the Lakers are starved for assets they can trade. That makes Knecht’s combination of youth, potential, and rookie production a precious commodity Pelinka can leverage. How, though?
Turns out, Rob Pelinka already has eyes on Onyeka Okongwu and Toumani Camara
“I have heard that the Blazers want something like two firsts for Camara, so maybe they view [Dalton Knecht] and a first as sufficient, but I think Portland probably says no, to be honest,” said Jovan Buha. If the Lakers get an out-of-favor Dalton Knecht for an All-NBA Defensive Second Team-er, they can virtually put their foot in the 2026 NBA Finals. Camara isn’t just a throw-in — he’s one of the few bright spots on a struggling Portland team. With his ability to contain scorers with his length, anticipation, and motor, and around the same age as Dalton, he’d definitely be the perfect replacement.
After the Mark Williams deal fell apart at the deadline due to a failed physical — and nearly cost LA their 2031 first-round pick — Pelinka knows he can’t afford another swing-and-miss. Camara isn’t just a Band-Aid; he’s the kind of long-limbed, switchable defender that JJ Redick’s system craves.
Toumani Camara’s trade value could be as high as two first-round picks, per @jovanbuha
“I have heard that the Blazers want something like two firsts for Camara, so maybe they view [ Dalton Knecht ] and a first as sufficient, but I think Portland probably says no, to be honest.”… pic.twitter.com/3DY7RxlHvH
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 22, 2025
As for Onyeka Okongwu, the 6’10 Hawks center—he’s the ideal athletic rim-runner Redick wants anchoring the paint. And he’s on an affordable four-year, $62 million contract. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“I do know the Lakers made a call to the Hawks around the trade deadline about Okongwu. I think lob threat, athleticism, absolutely. In terms of being a perfect fit, maybe not. They might not get a perfect fit though. Clint Capela of 17-18 might have been a perfect fit but we’re in 25-26 now. So that is kind of the spot they’re gonna be in,” said Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Given his team-friendly contract and versatility as both a starter and elite backup makes him a pragmatic target. And in Los Angeles, he could thrive as the Luka-LeBron pick-and-roll partner AD once was. So we can’t speak for sure on how likely this deal is to happen, but what we can say is that Rob Pelinka is playing with margins.
So, Knecht might be on the move sooner than people think. Especially, with Luka Doncic’s $229 million extension on the table, there’s no time for development experiments. Camara and Okongwu aren’t just targets — they’re course correction. And with Pelinka thinking in playoff units, these two can very well plug into a playoff rotation tomorrow.
The post Lakers Rumor: Dalton Knecht’s Future Takes Drastic Turn as Rob Pelinka Eyes 6’10 Center & All-NBA Star appeared first on EssentiallySports.
