The Los Angeles Lakers are entering an era of uncertainty. After Luka Doncic’s Grade II hamstring injury, he will miss the playoffs. Unfortunately, trouble isn’t coming to an end for the team. Because now, both Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart are injured. And this brings Dalton Knecht back into the picture.
Insider Ryan Ward reported, “The Los Angeles Lakers have recalled guards Kobe Bufkin and Dalton Knecht from the South Bay Lakers.”
Knecht’s sophomore year with LA has been nothing short of a nightmare. He averaged just 10.3 minutes per game this season. But with Luka and AR out of the picture, this might be his final chance to shine. Now, there is a reason why this could be the 24-year-old’s final opportunity.
The Los Angeles Lakers have recalled guards Kobe Bufkin and Dalton Knecht from the South Bay Lakers.
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 4, 2026
Since his name fell off rotation, speculations have been running wild. Many believe Dalton Knecht could be on the move this summer—maybe even should be. After all, the Los Angeles Lakers already shipped him to the Charlotte Hornets before the 2025 trade deadline. However, the deal collapsed at the 25th hour when Mark Williams failed his physical.
Moreover, Knecht fits offensively. He can light it up from deep, yet his game leans toward creating shots, not waiting in the corner. That contrast stands out. Even in 2024–25, he drilled 37.4% on catch-and-shoot threes. Meanwhile, his pull-up game popped even louder at 39.7% from beyond the arc.
Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart’s injury updates
Now, Austin Reaves’ availability for Sunday’s clash with the Dallas Mavericks is still uncertain. He left Thursday’s 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half with a rib or back injury but bounced back to finish with 15 points. Meanwhile, the Lakers await MRI results after a mix-up had the Mavericks scan the wrong area, forcing a second exam.
“The second one was today,” JJ Redick told the media on Saturday about AR’s medical examination. “I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, but they scanned the wrong area. Not on our end. We made it explicit where it was supposed to be scanned, but they scanned the wrong area.”
Meanwhile, Marcus Smart’s situation remains unknown. He has missed 6 games following a right ankle contusion. Before the Thunder game on Thursday, Redick gave an encouraging update about the veteran player. According to the head coach, Smart joined an on-court workout and might be ready for the Mavericks matchup, giving him about a week of regular-season action before the playoffs begin on April 18. However, his health update remains TBD.
The Los Angeles Lakers are teetering on the edge of chaos. With Luka sidelined and both Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart uncertain, Dalton Knecht suddenly steps into the spotlight. After a nightmare sophomore season and a past trade collapse, this could be his final shot to prove he belongs. Everything hinges on health, timing, and whether Knecht can seize the moment.
