FROM 'STEAL' TO SELL: HOW DALTON KNECHT LOST REDICK’S TRUST AFTER SUMMER LEAGUE WOES
The Lakers assigned Dalton Knecht to the G League, signalling a likely trade before the deadline. Coach JJ Redick, initially a huge fan, has reportedly grown frustrated with his defence.
Lakers coach JJ Redick was seen alone on the bench before the November 28, 2025, game versus the Mavericks in Los Angeles.
In other news, the Lakers sent Dalton Knecht, their former first-round pick, to the South Bay Lakers, their G League affiliate, this Monday. Word is that Rob Pelinka and the front office are planning to trade Knecht before the February 5 deadline.
The Lakers also assigned guard Adou Thiero to South Bay. This is supposedly Knecht’s first assignment to the G League this year.
Knecht came to Los Angeles with a lot of hype but hasn't quite lived up to it in his first season and a half. He showed flashes of being a good shooter in his first year, making 1.6 threes per game at a 38% clip. But he hasn't really improved since then. This year, he's averaging 6.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game, shooting 36% from beyond the arc in 20 appearances.
The 24-year-old hasn't been great on defense either, which has kept Redick from giving him more minutes.
Redick was initially excited about Knecht.
The Lakers coach was thrilled when they drafted Knecht with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. It was Redick’s first time being in an NBA war room before his first season coaching the team in 2024-25.
Redick thought the Lakers got a steal in Knecht because of his ability to shoot on the move—a skill that's valued in today's NBA.
According to ESPN, a team source said that the new Lakers coach Redick is a big fan of this pick, since he’s been talking about how important it is to add shooting to the roster. Considering Redick made over 2,000 NBA 3s in his career at a 41% clip, this isn't surprising.
Reportedly, Redick also believed that Knecht, who spent five years in college, was more ready for the NBA than other rookies and could make an instant impact.
A Lakers team source told ESPN, None of us thought he’d be there. It’s crazy. He’s the most ready guy in the draft, ready to play right away.
Summer League Issues
Redick’s opinion of Knecht seemed to shift at the start of the 2025-26 season after watching him struggle in the Summer League. Knecht averaged 6.4 points and 1.9 rebounds, shooting 36% from three in the Las Vegas exhibition games leading up to the new NBA season.
Redick said about Knecht, “It’s the other stuff (besides offense) that he’s got to just do and find that consistency in his defense, on being the low man, or boxing out, or crashing every time, or sprinting back and actually talking in transition.”
He added, When he’s doing those things, he’s an impact player.
Redick mentioned that he had several meetings with Knecht during the offseason, encouraging him to work on certain aspects of his game to be successful in the pros.
Redick noted, “We probably met three times over the summer and met again in September, like it’s clear what he’s supposed to do.”
Those three practices, our video room, and our analytics guys, they tracked every stat in live play. He had an unbelievable three days offensively. I’m very confident that when he’s confident, he’s a high-level offensive player in the NBA.
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
