Dalton Knecht had been having a great season with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, his time with the Lakers seemingly came to an end when the franchise traded him to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Mark Williams. Just a few days later, the trade was rescinded, sending Knecht back to the Lakers. Speaking for the first time after the trade, Dalton Knecht addressed the entire situation.
Reporter: “We spoke about the shock from the Luka trade, and just how wild of a situation that was. Can you take us a little bit through the process of getting the call, getting to Charlotte, and then being told you were going to go back? What was that even like?”
Dalton Knecht: “It felt like a movie. After that game, I came back the next day and went to get some shots up in the gym. 20 free throws in, I usually always shoot 25 right before I shoot, and Rob called me up there and told me the news. It was hard, I got drafted here and L.A. means a lot.”
“So hearing that and then I went over to Charlotte in the morning with one of my guys and got introduced and met all those people. Then I flew out to Detroit to what was called my debut game.”
“Now, I’m flying back to L.A. and Rob called me and said ‘You’re coming back’. I was excited to just go out there and hoop no matter where I was going. I told that to JJ and Rob. I get it’s a business so at the end of the day, I told them ‘Let’s just go play basketball.’”
Knecht spoke about the entire situation from a mental standpoint and what he was feeling. He kept the matter candid and shared what his interactions with head coach JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka had been like, while also talking about his return to the court for the Lakers.
Reporter: “I have to imagine these last few days couldn’t have been easy for anybody. How have you handled it, and what has helped get you through it?”
Knecht: “It was a carzy time. Not too many people have done that and come back. At the end of the day, I just wanted to hoop. I told that to JJ and Rob when I got back. That was the main thing. I wanted to play, but I got in late, and at the end of the day, they said Wednesday was my return. I was excited to come back and play here with my guys.”
Reporter: “You looked like yourself out there today, how did you keep that mental focus?”
Knecht: “I was going to play my game whenever I returned. I was going to go out there, hit some shots, play some defense with my guys, and go out there and execute.”
Reporter: “What did JJ or Rob say to you after the 72 hours of the unknown, thinking you were going to be in Charlotte but having to come back.”
Knecht: “We sat down and talked right when I got back. We had a couple of conversations and we ultimately agreed that on Monday, I wouldn’t play because I got in super late from my flight. We knew Wednesday, I was going to play. I was excited to just go out there and do what I love to do – go out and compete and play with my teammates.”
Reporter: “Dalton, what has the reception been like from your teammates welcoming you back and knowing that you had gone through a lot in the last week or so?”
Knecht: “Every one of them came in and hugged me and asked what’s good. They said welcome back, and obviously tonight they said it’s your debut game again. At the end of the day, it’s just a business. I get what Rob and JJ were doing. I’m just going out there, doing my job, and doing what I love to do.”
Reporter: “The Hornets are petitioning to reverse it again. What is your understanding of where those things stand and how do you become aware of that situation?”
Knecht: “I have no clue, to be honest… Whatever happens, happens. I’m just going to compete hard wherever I go. Hopefully, it’s L.A… I don’t really care.”
Reporter: “What are your thoughts on getting to play with Luka Doncic?”
Knecht: “The passes he was making out there were crazy. They told me, the first game back, no matter what, when he has the ball, get ready to shoot. He’s gonna get it to you no matter what…”
Knecht had a decent game with the Lakers, putting up 10 points (3-7 FG) and one assist in the Lakers’ 119-131 loss to the Utah Jazz. He will need time to get back into the swing of things and adjust to the Lakers’ schemes. The All-Star break will be a good time for him to disconnect from the situation and understand where he is.
Hopefully, the anger he showed in the previous game against the Lakers is now gone, and he is focused on trying to make the best of the situation. Things are going to be very difficult for Knecht, but a player of his quality should be able to adapt.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
