Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick who was waived on Oct. 19, has agreed to a two-way contract with the New York Knicks. His agents at Excel Sports Management informed ESPN’s Shams Charania on Oct. 23. Knecht also received interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves, sources told Charania.
Los Angeles took Knecht 17th overall out of Tennessee. In 2024-25 he averaged 9.1 points on 46.1 percent shooting (37.6 percent from 3) and 2.8 rebounds in 19.2 minutes across 78 games.
At the February 2025 deadline, the Lakers included him in a trade with Charlotte for Mark Williams. That deal fell through after Williams failed his physical, and Knecht returned to Los Angeles. In 2025-26 his playing time was cut to 10.2 minutes in 54 games, and he averaged 4.2 points on 45.5 percent shooting (34.2 percent from 3).
The Lakers waived him two days before their 2026-27 opener and kept Bronny James and Jaden Hardy instead. Before that, The Athletic’s Dan Woike reported the team had engaged in multiple trade calls throughout camp, but there was “no significant trade market” for him.
Knecht passed through waivers unclaimed. To clear a two-way spot for him, the Knicks waived Kevin McCullar Jr., Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported. Knecht joins Tyler Nickel and Jaden Akins as New York’s two-way players. The Knicks are the defending champions after they beat the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the 2026 Finals.
Knecht’s Market Reset to the Two-Way Level
The interest in Knecht was real, but only at a lower price. No team traded for him during camp, and no team claimed him off waivers. Once he was eligible for a two-way deal, four teams went after him, and New York cut a player already under contract to make room.
That tells you the league still thinks the shooter from his 2024-25 rookie season is worth a look, as long as it doesn’t have to carry his rookie-scale salary. To get back on a standard contract, he has to shoot like that again.
Westchester Is the Likely Starting Point
On a two-way deal, Knecht can play up to 50 games for the big club, and he is expected to spend time with the Knicks’ G League affiliate in Westchester. The reports do not say when he could make his New York debut.
Sources: Shams Charania (ESPN), Dan Woike (The Athletic), Michael Scotto (HoopsHype)
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