Dalton Knecht to Knicks, latest rumors after former Lakers first-round pick lands two-way contract

Dalton Knecht will get his next chance to make the NBA roster with the defending champions.

The New York Knicks are considering signing Knecht to a two-way deal, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Friday.

The Knicks are waiving Kevin McCullar Jr. to make room for Knecht, according to Scotto.

McCullar, who played in 21 games for the Knicks last regular season, was one of the players celebrated at the team’s season-opening ceremony Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks also have Tyler Nickel and Jaden Akins on two-way deals, according to HoopsRumors.

Knecht’s signing follows what SNY’s Ian Begley described as an “aggressive” pursuit by the Knicks.

The Minnesota Timberwolves also had interest in signing Knecht to a two-way deal before he arrived in New York, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.

The Lakers waived Knecht earlier this week after apparently unsuccessfully trying to trade him this offseason.

A former Tennessee sharpshooter, Knecht was originally drafted by the Lakers with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 draft.

He appeared in 78 games during his rookie season with the Lakers, although the team attempted to move him in February in an ultimately failed trade for Mark Williams.

Knecht averaged 4.2 points last season while seeing his shooting efficiency decline both from the field (45.5%) and behind the arc (34.2%). He averaged 10 minutes on the court in 54 games before dropping out of JJ Redick’s rotation entirely.

The Lakers cut the 25-year-old after one offseason, noted Redick, who had focused on adding depth to the wings.

The Knicks are hoping a change of scenery will allow Knecht to help score off the bench if he gets the opportunity to play with the NBA club this season.