Dalton Knecht signs with Knicks, per report: Could ex-Lakers first-round pick find role in New York?

Knecht showed promise as a rookie with the Lakers but was waived last week The New York Knicks are signing Dalton Knecht to a two-way contract, ESPN reported on Friday. To make room for Knecht, who was waived earlier this week by the Los Angeles Lakers, the Knicks waived Kevin McCullar Jr., according to SNY. Knecht, the No. 17 overall pick by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft, was in and out of Los Angeles' rotation the last two seasons and ended up being the odd man out on roster cutdown day last week. Knecht, a 6-foot-6 forward, appeared in just 54 games during the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 4.2 points over 10.2 minutes per contest.

It was a major step back in production and playing time for Knecht, who showed some promise as a rookie. By signing Knecht to a two-way deal, the Knicks are taking a low-risk, high-upside swing that Knecht, 25, can regain some of his rookie-year form, which saw him become a key rotational piece during JJ Redick's first season in Los Angeles. Knecht had seven games with at least 20 points during his rookie season, including a 37-point outburst against the Utah Jazz in the NBA Cup. However, less than three months later, Knecht was included in a trade package to land Mark Williams from