Dalton Knecht Traded By Lakers For Refusal to Pass to Bronny James Per Gilbert Arenas

Jan 30, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) passes the ball as Washington Wizards forward Tristan Vukcevic (00) defends in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers traded rookie Dalton Knecht after just 48 games to the Charlotte Hornets. Gilbert Arenas believes it’s because he wasn’t passing the ball to Bronny James.

In just 48 games with the Lakers, Dalton Knecht appeared to have quite a bright future in LA.

He shot 46.5% from the field, 35.8% from three-point range, and was averaging 9.4 PPG in just 20.7 minutes per night.

It appeared that Knecht, who was drafted out of Tennessee by the Lakers with the 15th overall pick, would be a potential future star in LA.

That was until late Wednesday night when the Lakers traded Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams.

It’s led many to wonder why the Lakers have chosen to move on so quickly from what appeared to be a budding star.

Former NBA superstar turned podcast host, Gilbert Arenas has some theories of his own. This comes via The Gilbert Arenas Show.

Now, whether or not it’s because Knecht wouldn’t pass the ball to Bronny James, or whether or not he was just shooting to much anyways, the Lakers were willing to part with Knecht.

It should be noted, Knecht’s averaging less than an assist per game while averaging 7.4 shots per game.