Dalton Knecht Traded to Charlotte Hornets in Midseason Move

Dalton Knecht is heading to a new team midway through his rookie NBA season. The Los Angeles Lakers have traded the former Tennessee basketball star to the Charlotte Hornets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Knecht, the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has been a solid contributor for the Lakers. The 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 20.7 minutes per game while shooting 35.8% from three-point range. He has posted five 20-point games this season, including a standout 24-point performance with five three-pointers against Philadelphia on Jan. 28. His biggest game came on Nov. 19, when he scored 37 points against Utah, tying an NBA rookie record by making nine threes and scoring 22 consecutive points.

Knecht had a stellar college career, earning SEC Player of the Year honors and being named a consensus first-team All-American in his lone season at Tennessee. He is the highest-drafted player under Vols coach Rick Barnes.

The trade sends Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap to Charlotte in exchange for center Mark Williams. This move follows the Lakers’ blockbuster trade of Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic. Knecht was a key piece in the Lakers’ efforts to strengthen their frontcourt.

At Charlotte, Knecht will join another former Tennessee standout, Grant Williams, who is currently sidelined with an ACL injury suffered in November.

Stay tuned for more updates on Knecht’s journey in the NBA.