The 2025-26 NBA regular season is in the books as attention turns to the playoffs. For the Los Angeles Lakers, it finished the season with a 131-107 win over the Utah Jazz. However, the most impressive performance was from former Tennessee basketball star Dalton Knecht off the bench.
While getting just 12 minutes on the floor, Knecht went off. He tallied 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field and 5-for-6 on threes. He also recorded four assists, two rebounds and a steal.
On the season, Knecht produced 4.2 points per game on 45.5% shooting from the field and 34.2% on threes. He also contributed 1.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 54 appearances and one start. He played an average of 10.2 minutes per outing.
Knecht’s limited usage has resulted in plenty of rumors circulating about potential trades for the Vols legend. As a rookie a year ago, he was moved at the trade deadline, but a failed physical from the other party canceled the deal. Knecht could be a piece used in a trade after this season, but will first be a piece of LA in the playoffs.
Dalton’s Last Dance?
17 pts in 12 min.
6/9 fgs | 5/6 3fgs | 4 asts
If this was Knecht’s Last Regular Season Game as a Laker-
Then I’m glad he went Out on his Terms.
Hope he can take the Confidence Boost wherever he plays next. (& maybe he’ll get a chance in the P/Os too) pic.twitter.com/T19FxRriqb
— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) April 13, 2026
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At Tennessee, Knecht played just one season but made the absolute most of it. In a year where he won SEC Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American, he averaged 21.7 points per game on 45.8% shooting from the floor and 39.7% on threes. He also averaged 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
The 2-seed Vols made a run to the Elite Eight, knocking off 15-seed Saint Peter’s, 7-seed Texas and 3-seed Creighton before losing to 1-seed and eventual national runner-up Purdue.
He transferred to UT for his final season of eligibility after starting at the junior college level, then moving up to Northern Colorado. He is from Thornton, Colorado.
