The Los Angeles Lakers have once again found themselves at the center of the NBA rumor mill, and this time, it’s about something that could potentially alter their defensive identity and backcourt future: the path is now clear for the purple and gold to sign Marcus Smart. This development has naturally ignited debates about what the potential arrival of the former Defensive Player of the Year would mean for the roster, chemistry, and particularly, for young promising talent like Dalton Knecht. The 2024 NBA Draft saw the Lakers use their 17th overall pick on Knecht, a skilled, high-scoring wing from Tennessee with a polished offensive game. But the real question remains — as the Lakers pursue immediate contention, will there still be room on the LakeShow for the rookie standout?
The idea of Marcus Smart donning a Lakers jersey feels surreal to many, especially to those who have seen him become the gritty heartbeat of the Boston Celtics over the years. His reputation as a tenacious defender, emotional leader, and capable facilitator has made him a coveted asset. After spending nearly a decade with the Celtics and a brief stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, Smart remains one of the most unique perimeter defenders in the league. If the Lakers are clearing a path to sign him, it means they’re ready to double down on defense and intangibles — two areas that slipped through their fingers during the playoffs last season. But a Smart signing doesn’t come without cost — not just financially, but in terms of developmental priorities.
Dalton Knecht entered the Lakers’ radar as an offensive weapon with a plug-and-play ceiling. His scoring instincts, perimeter shooting, and ability to move without the ball fit perfectly into the modern NBA offense. More importantly, his age — 23 — gives him a level of maturity rarely seen in rookies, making him more immediately NBA-ready than other prospects. For a franchise led by a 40-year-old LeBron James who is clearly operating on borrowed time in terms of championship windows, adding young contributors who are ready now is an attractive concept. Yet, therein lies the tension. A team trying to win right now might be more inclined to play veterans, especially ones with playoff experience, over rookies — even if those rookies are as promising as Knecht.
What makes this situation particularly intriguing is the timeline collision happening within the Lakers organization. On one side, you have LeBron James, a generational superstar whose career is closer to its sunset than its prime. Every season is a “win now or bust” campaign with him on the roster. That urgency has often pushed the Lakers to pursue veterans over youth — Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo, and even Dwight Howard in his second stint are all examples. On the other side, there’s a mounting desire within the Lakers’ front office and fanbase to build sustainability. That means developing young talent like Knecht, Max Christie, and even Jalen Hood-Schifino, instead of constantly mortgaging the future for the present.
Marcus Smart, should he join the Lakers, immediately becomes one of the vocal and defensive leaders of the locker room. He brings a championship mindset, having gone deep in the playoffs numerous times and having been part of the core that led Boston to the Finals in 2022. He understands what it takes to win, and more importantly, he doesn’t shy away from dirty work. Defensively, pairing Smart with Anthony Davis would give the Lakers one of the most formidable perimeter-to-paint tandems in the league. That could relieve some of the defensive burden currently carried by Davis and allow LeBron to conserve energy for offensive initiation. It would also create matchup versatility in closing lineups, allowing Darvin Ham to deploy different looks based on opponent strengths.
But then, what happens to Dalton Knecht?
Knecht’s summer league performance, while not jaw-dropping, has demonstrated his ability to create his own shot and make reads in space. He’s not a lockdown defender, but he’s not a sieve either — a trait that could be developed further under the right system. If Smart arrives, the backcourt rotation becomes incredibly crowded. The Lakers already have D’Angelo Russell (assuming he isn’t moved), Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, and now potentially Marcus Smart. While Knecht is more of a wing than a guard, the overlapping skill sets and limited rotational minutes could force the Lakers into a difficult position: develop a future piece or lean heavily on veteran contributors?
There’s also the issue of team culture and identity. Marcus Smart is known to take control of the locker room. His leadership is both a blessing and a challenge — he challenges teammates, he holds everyone accountable, and sometimes he can be a bit too fiery. On a team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who already set the tone, would Smart complement that leadership or clash with it? More importantly, would he overshadow a quiet rookie like Knecht who’s trying to find his footing in the NBA?
Then there’s the salary cap dimension. For the Lakers to clear room to sign Smart, they’ve likely had to make some financial maneuvers, which could include offloading mid-tier contracts or parting with rotational players. If Knecht is viewed as expendable, he could be used as a sweetener in a future trade to offload cap space or to acquire another veteran. This wouldn’t be unprecedented — the Lakers have done similar things in the past with promising rookies like Ivica Zubac, who was traded for Mike Muscala, or more recently, Talen Horton-Tucker in the deal that brought in Beverley.
Still, there’s a valid argument for keeping Knecht, even with Smart’s arrival. The NBA is a long season filled with injuries, fatigue, and constant adjustments. Having someone like Knecht on the bench ready to step in and provide spacing, scoring bursts, and youthful energy is not something to underestimate. He could serve as the Lakers’ version of Sam Hauser — a reliable off-ball shooter who stays ready and makes opponents pay for sagging help defense. If he develops his defense even moderately under the tutelage of someone like Smart, the Lakers could have a low-cost, high-upside contributor locked in for the next four years.
Let’s not forget how important rookie contracts are for a team with cap-heavy stars like LeBron and AD. Dalton Knecht’s rookie deal provides cost-effective depth — something that becomes essential when your top three players eat up nearly 70% of the cap. The flexibility that a rookie contract provides could allow the Lakers to keep the roster top-heavy while still filling out the second unit with serviceable production. Waiving or trading a player like Knecht removes that cushion and forces the Lakers to find veterans willing to sign for the minimum — a gamble that hasn’t always paid off, as seen with older signings like DeAndre Jordan or Trevor Ariza in past seasons.
Furthermore, there’s a public relations and fanbase angle to consider. Lakers fans were excited about the Dalton Knecht pick, viewing him as the first meaningful draft selection since Austin Reaves. His college highlights went viral, he has a chip on his shoulder as a JUCO transfer turned SEC Player of the Year, and fans love an underdog story. If the Lakers were to jettison Knecht before he ever gets a chance, it could create an optics problem — appearing impatient or shortsighted. The franchise already faces scrutiny for its roster decisions. Letting another promising talent slip through the cracks wouldn’t sit well, especially if Knecht succeeds elsewhere.
From a basketball education standpoint, it’s important to understand how roster building in the NBA often involves balancing competing needs — youth versus experience, offense versus defense, development versus winning now. Teams rarely have the luxury of doing both well. The Lakers have tried to toe that line before, and the results have been mixed. Their 2020 championship run was built on veteran presence and defensive versatility. Their subsequent failures were marked by injuries and an overreliance on aging players. With Smart, they can revive that defensive culture. With Knecht, they can plant seeds for the future. But it’s not easy to do both unless the coaching staff is willing to get creative with minutes and lineups.
Dalton Knecht’s fate on the LakeShow could ultimately be determined by how quickly he adapts to NBA speed, how well he defends without fouling, and whether he can earn LeBron and AD’s trust. If he shows that he’s a winning player — someone who makes the right reads, competes defensively, and knocks down open threes — then Smart’s presence may actually help Knecht by giving him a mentor to learn from. But if he struggles early or fails to carve out a consistent role, he may become the casualty of a team trying to maximize every inch of LeBron’s remaining greatness.
It’s also worth considering how the Lakers’ recent history with young players might influence their decision-making now. Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and even Kyle Kuzma all became valuable assets — either for the Lakers or other teams — after being drafted and developed in Los Angeles. The Lakers’ ability to identify talent is not the issue; it’s whether they have the patience to let that talent mature. With Smart in the mix, there’s an opportunity to do both — let him lead while allowing players like Knecht to find their voice and purpose.
In closing, the Lakers clearing the way to sign Marcus Smart signals their intent to toughen up, both defensively and mentally. It shows they’re still serious about contending, still committed to squeezing every drop out of LeBron’s final chapters. But it also raises critical questions about what kind of team they want to be. Is it one that still values youth development, or one that prioritizes playoff experience above all else? The answer might come down to how Dalton Knecht performs in training camp, how confident the coaching staff is in his readiness, and whether the front office believes a blend of old and new can coexist effectively. The LakeShow has never been short on drama, and this upcoming season promises to be no different. Whether Knecht remains part of the script or becomes a footnote will depend on what happens next — but the opportunity, at least for now, is still in his hands.
