Lakers Rumors: Why LA Traded Dalton Knecht in Mark Williams, Hornets Deal Revealed

The Los Angeles Lakers gave up an intriguing rookie in Dalton Knecht when they made the move to acquire center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, a deal that also included the Lakers sending out Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap and an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

The trade upgrades the center position for the Lakers, a definitive need, and Jovan Buha of The Athletic broke down why Knecht was one of the pieces the team sacrificed to make it happen (52:40 mark).

"My understanding, in the quick conversations I've had since the trade, is that part of the calculus here is the Lakers wanted to keep their rotation as close together as possible," he said. "Basically, Knecht was their ninth man, so they kept their top eight guys and they added a better 'ninth man.' But then that guy is starting and moving Jaxson Hayes to the bench."

Buha added earlier in his podcast that Williams was the "exact type of big man that the Lakers wanted, as well as that Luka Dončić wanted," noting that the young superstar reportedly told Rob Pelinka that he wanted to play with a "vertical lob threat."

Williams scratches that itch, and despite being in the NBA for three years now, is actually several months younger than Knecht. He's also a more impactful player, averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game this season.

Losing Knecht won't be popular among all Lakers fans, but he was one of the team's only valuable trade assets remaining, outside of players they simply aren't going to move like Austin Reaves. To fill a bigger need, Knecht was going to have to go, and the Lakers upgraded at center with a young, talented option.