VFL Dalton Knecht and former Tennessee wing Cameron Carr only spent one season together in Knoxville, but it was plenty enough to create a strong bond between the two that has been newly rekindled in Los Angeles.
Carr, a former four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, signed with Tennessee in November 2022. Just a few months later, Knecht transferred to the Vols from Northern Colorado in April. Carr then enrolled at UT in July, setting the two up as teammates for the 2023-2024 college basketball season.
Knecht played in 36 games for the Vols during that season, making an immediate impact on the team while becoming the SEC Player of the Year. Carr, meanwhile, played in 14 games for the Vols during his true freshman season.
With the Los Angeles Lakers drafting Carr in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, the two Tennessee teammates are now reunited in the City of Angels.
According to Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand, Carr recently told the L.A. media that he tried to emulate Knecht’s game while the two were in Knoxville together.
“Our connection is still strong, that’s still my guy,” Carr said, via Starkand.
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Carr eventually transferred out of the Tennessee program in December 2024. He returned to college basketball for the 2025-2026 season after transferring to Baylor, where he emerged as an electric offensive player for the Bears. Carr was selected by the Lakers with the 24th pick in the draft last week.
Carr’s arrival in Los Angeles sets up a bit of an interesting situation for Knecht, though. Both are considered wing players who can shoot the three, but Knecht’s role on the team has been steadily declining over his first two seasons. This past year, his role in the rotation was quite minimal as L.A. showed that it didn’t have any real plans for him in the lineup. While Carr will likely need some time to build up his body for the NBA level, his arrival could push Knecht even further down the depth chart.
The Lakers have reportedly been fishing around for a trade partner for Knecht this offseason, but nothing has manifested so far. Perhaps something becomes more likely now that the draft is over, but free agency is still on the horizon as well.
Even before the Carr pick, it’s been clear that Knecht is in desperate need of new threads in the NBA. The Lakers have proven that he’s not vital to their future moving forward, but that doesn’t mean that the former Vol couldn’t help another team somewhere in the league. It would also probably be nice to have a fresh start for both sides.
During the 2025-2026 NBA season, Knecht averaged 4.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists for the Lakers.
