The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their 2025 Summer League campaign with an 89-84 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The game drew strong reactions not just for the result but also for the performance of second-year guard Dalton Knecht.
Knecht struggled to find the rhythm on the floor. He finished with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. However, his shooting woes dominated the postgame conversation. Knecht went just 3-of-13 from the field and a frustrating 0-of-6 from beyond the arc in 30 minutes of action.
Dalton Knecht today in Summer League:
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) July 6, 2025
10 points
3/13 FG
0/6 3FG pic.twitter.com/6OpPmTdP1S
Knecht was drafted 17th overall by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft. He was seen as a promising offensive weapon. But his rookie season was rocky.
Meanwhile, things nearly took a dramatic turn last year when the Lakers almost traded him to acquire then-Hornets center Mark Williams. The deal was ultimately scrapped after Williams failed his physical. It has given Knecht a second chance to prove himself in purple and gold.
Fans React Harshly To Dalton Knecht’s Performance
The regular season is still months away. But Lakers fans didn’t hold back in expressing disappointment. Social media quickly filled with calls for the team to move on from Dalton Knecht.
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“Trade em lmao,” one fan wrote bluntly.
trade em lmao
— mithril ⚔️ (@0xmithril77) July 6, 2025
Another echoed the urgency: “Lakers gotta get rid of him, he is NOT NBA ready.”
Lakers gotta get rid of him, he is NOT nba ready.
— Trendsetta (@DRtheSETTA) July 6, 2025
“Can we please trade him? I love Dalton Knecht because he’s a Vol, but the dude can only shoot. He’s a major, major cone on defense. And he shoots 37% from three which is solid—but if that’s your best thing, that’s gotta be 40%+. So Rob, trade him,” one comment read.
Can we please trade him i love Dalton knecht because he’s a vol, but the dude can only shoot, he’s a major major cone on defense. And he shoots 37 from 3 which is solid but if that’s your best thing that’s gotta be 40+. So rob trade him
— Luke (@NukeSlamSports) July 6, 2025
“Trade him yesterday haha dude tryina tank his value,” another fan joked.
Trade him yesterday haha dude tryina tank his value
— M (@MarzVader0) July 6, 2025
Another added, “This kid had more than enough time to show his potential, definitely time to trade him.”
This kid had more than enough time to show his potential, definitely time to trade him
— A.F.M (@HaitianKing1k) July 6, 2025
Many viewed the Summer League as an important proving ground for the Tennessee product. However, after just one game, frustration from fans has already begun to boil over. Knecht will have to quickly turn things around if he hopes to silence critics.
Also Read: Shaquille O’Neal Reveals Why He’s “Upset” Over Lakers’ Sale In Hilarious Request To Jeanie Buss
