The Los Angeles Lakers added quite a few players to their rotation this offseason. One of them was Marcus Smart, who, after spending his first nine NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics, found himself on the Lakers after bouncing around with the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards.

Smart has been injury-prone since the Celtics traded him in 2023, as he’s appeared in only 54 games over the last two seasons, which lowered his value. That’s why the Grizzlies traded a first-round pick to dump his contract to the Wizards and why the Wizards bought him out. Even so, Smart is predicted to be one of the Lakers’ starters this coming season.

Lakers insider Jovan Buha predicted that Smart will be one of the Lakers’ starters this season, joining Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton.

Marcus Smart’s Arrival Could Push Dalton Knecht Out of Lakers’ Rotation

What also stood out about Buha’s prediction is that Dalton Knecht will not be in the Lakers’ 10-man rotation. When fans asked him why he thinks Knecht won’t play, he explained that the Lakers’ emphasis on playing a traditional second unit center would push him out.

“I think they need to play their best players and it’s hard to argue him higher than 10th,” Buha wrote. “And even if you make that case, that means no backup center and the Lakers likely playing 16-20 minutes center-less. If they expand the rotation to 11 guys — unlikely but possible, at least for stretches of the season — then DK makes sense.”

Buha then explained that Knecht could see more playing time if JJ Redick opts for smaller lineups, but given LA’s emphasis on adding playable centers this offseason, that feels unlikely.

“We both had him outside of the 10-man rotation, but we acknowledged that this assumes JJ plays Jaxson/Maxi at backup 5 and they play more traditional lineups,” he added. “If they don’t play a true backup 5, DK could slide into the 10th spot. Hard to see him playing over any of top 9.”

Dalton Knecht Getting DNPs Could Lead to a Trade

If Buha’s projection turns out to be true, then many would question whether Knecht is truly in the Lakers’ long-term plans. Knecht started his rookie season being very much involved in the Lakers’ rotation. In November, he was averaging 26.4 minutes a game, but by April, he was averaging 13.8 points, and it was only up to 13.8 because he played 37 minutes in the Lakers’ regular season finale.

Buha projecting Knecht’s role to be even smaller could lead to a trade. It’s not like it would be out of left field. The Lakers had a deal in place to send him to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams before Williams’ medicals nixed it (via ESPN).

Knecht may be a sophomore, but he’s a pretty old one at 24 years old. A team looking for a sharpshooter (on paper) could take themselves into him since he is on a team-friendly rookie contract. However, the Lakers should only get rid of him if they get a player they know can help. In their case, it would be adding more frontcourt depth.

Knecht’s abilities would theoretically help the Lakers, but their moves have signaled their lack of confidence in his ability. If they plan to trade him, they may be better off doing that sooner rather than later because benching him could crater his trade value.