Bleacher Report writer names possible landing spot for Dalton Knecht

[ASFN Admin]

No matter how well the Los Angeles Lakers do in this year's NBA playoffs, they will need to go shopping this offseason for a starting-caliber center who will give them an infusion of defense and rebounding.

After landing Luka Doncic at the beginning of February, it appeared they had acquired such a center when they agreed to trade rookie sharpshooter Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, a future first-round draft pick and a pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams, a promising 23-year-old big man. But Williams' physical reportedly revealed something that was troubling, and the trade was rescinded.

Knecht, the No. 17 pick in last year's NBA draft who has shown flashes of his potential this season, could very well be used again as trade bait this summer to bring in a strong defensive-minded 5. Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report feels the Orlando Magic could be the most likely landing spot for the University of Tennessee product this summer.

Via Bleacher Report:

"Knecht is on the older side as a 24-year-old rookie, but he has clear NBA skills when given the chance to play," wrote Pincus. "He shot 37.6 percent from three-point range this season, and that may be just scratching the surface of his potential from deep. Unfortunately for the Hornets, Williams didn't pass his physical with the Lakers, so Knecht stayed in L.A.

"The Magic are also in win-now mode, and they have a rapidly growing payroll. Now that Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have signed extensions, they'll turn to Paolo Banchero this offseason with what is expected to be a max extension. Orlando's most significant weakness is shooting, which is Knecht's greatest strength.

"Perhaps acquiring Goga Bitadze or a center via multi-team trade for Knecht would suffice for the Lakers this summer."

Knecht averaged 9.1 points in 19.2 minutes a game while shooting 46.1% overall and 37.6% from beyond the arc during the regular season. He fell out of head coach JJ Redick's rotation late in the schedule, but he still appears to have potential down the road as, at worst, an offensive specialist off the bench.

Bitadze would be an interesting get for Los Angeles this summer. He put up 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 20.4 minutes a game during the regular season, and while he isn't very athletic, he can finish strong at or near the rim to go along with his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities.

He will make just $8.3 million next season, so perhaps he would be inexpensive for an L.A. franchise that has finite trade assets and also needs upgraded backcourt and wing depth.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Bleacher Report writer names possible landing spot for Dalton Knecht

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