The Los Angeles Lakers might finally be getting the Dalton Knecht trade right—at least on paper. In a new mock trade, the Lakers send Knecht, Gabe Vincent, and future draft capital to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for veteran forward Royce O’Neale and center Nick Richards.

The deal, worth roughly $57 million in combined player value, aims to fortify Los Angeles’ rotation with proven contributors while giving the struggling 2024 first-round pick a much-needed fresh start.

A Sensible Trade for Both Sides

For the Lakers, this hypothetical deal checks multiple boxes. They’d be addressing two of their biggest needs: perimeter defense and interior depth.

O’Neale brings postseason experience, a reliable three-point shot, and the kind of defensive toughness that complements LeBron James and Luka Dončić on the wing.

Richards, meanwhile, provides an athletic backup big capable of protecting the rim and finishing lobs—a key missing piece behind Anthony Davis’s departure earlier in the offseason.

Given Los Angeles’ hard-cap restrictions, upgrading without gutting the rotation is no small feat. Knecht’s rookie contract makes him one of the team’s few movable assets, and despite his diminished value after a rocky Summer League and preseason, the potential return here makes sense.

Trading a young shooter who’s still finding his NBA rhythm for two ready-made rotation players fits the team’s current championship timeline.

For Phoenix, the move leans more developmental. The Suns, having shifted into a youth movement after trading Kevin Durant, get a 24-year-old scorer with size and shooting upside.

Knecht’s college pedigree and flashes of shot creation still intrigue scouts, and a change of scenery—especially one without title-or-bust pressure—could unlock his game.

Knecht’s Slide in L.A.

A year ago, Dalton Knecht looked like a draft-day steal. The former Tennessee standout entered the NBA with a reputation as one of college basketball’s most polished scorers. But his transition has been uneven.

Inconsistency and defensive lapses have defined his young career. He’s had electric moments—like a 37-point outburst as a rookie—but they’ve been buried beneath long stretches of inefficiency and hesitation

Through the 2024–25 season, Knecht averaged 9.1 points per game on 46% shooting, yet his minutes fluctuated wildly. By this middle of the season, he’d fallen out of the rotation amid additions of veteran defenders and wings.

League scouts labeled him a “negative asset” this offseason, suggesting the Lakers might need to attach picks just to move him. That’s a stunning fall for a player once viewed as a ready-made contributor.

Still, has size, shooting mechanics, and offensive feel make him a worthwhile reclamation project—especially for a Suns team looking to reload around young stars like Jalen Green and Mark Williams.

Why the Lakers Win This Mock

In this scenario, the Lakers get back to their identity: defense and depth. O’Neale’s switchability and veteran poise immediately raise the team’s defensive ceiling, while Richards gives new head coach J.J. Redick a dependable rotation big.

It’s a trade that sacrifices upside for reliability—a move championship teams tend to make when urgency meets opportunity.

If this deal ever materialized, Los Angeles wouldn’t just be moving on from Knecht—they’d be course-correcting from a misfire.

The Lakers have long been caught between developing youth and maximizing LeBron’s window. This trade would signal clarity: win now, with pieces that fit.

For Knecht, it’s a second chance to find footing in a system that can afford to be patient. For the Lakers, it’s a chance to finally make the right kind of move for their present.