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[Saba Sports News] Few in the NBA have had a wilder couple of weeks than Lakers sharpshooter Dalton Knecht. Initially traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams, Knecht found himself back in Los Angeles after Williams failed his physical, leading to an awkward situation in the Lakers’ locker room. The chaos even caused Knecht to sit out a game against the Utah Jazz.
This whirlwind came just days after the Lakers made headlines by acquiring Luka Doncic from the Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis. Now back in L.A., Knecht is embracing the chance to play alongside another superstar.
“It’s strange. I’m one of the few people that’s ever been traded and then come back, so it’s been a crazy journey,” Knecht told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I’m just glad to be back and be a part of the team. I get to learn from Luka now. I had AD, Bron, and now I’m with Luka and Bron. So, it’s crazy. I get to learn from a lot of greats.”
While Knecht may have had more playing time in Charlotte, staying with the Lakers means soaking up knowledge from LeBron James and Luka Doncic—an experience few young players get. The Lakers have since added free-agent center Alex Len to bolster their frontcourt.
Knecht started his rookie year strong but has hit a rough patch, with his minutes decreasing under head coach JJ Redick. Still, even if he’s not on the floor as much, the opportunity to learn from legends could prove invaluable.