Dalton Knecht’s big night means the Lakers can trade these 3 players

wilHaters l say it’s just preseason, but Knecht is clearly good, and he’ll be a fixture in the Lakers rotation now that he’s shown he’s capable of scoring outbursts like this.

One Laker who won’t be happy about Knecht’s emergence is Cam Reddish, who won’t benefit. Reddish is now expendable in Los Angeles, not to mention behind Knecht on the depth chart at small forward.

Reddish is making $2.5 million this year (expiring), which is good value given his size and skill set. The Lakers will likely ship him out as a sweetener in a trade.

Max Christie and Jalen Hood-Schifino are two other young wings (both 21) who have also become more expendable in the new world where Dalton Knecht is one of the Lakers’ best seven players.

Christie is making a tad over $23 million over the next four years, which is another valuable contract if he stays healthy.

Hood-Schifino is at $3.8 million this year followed by team options in the next two seasons; so, flexible.

Who knows, Knecht might even become a Lakers starter this season.

If Los Angeles trades D’Angelo Russell away to get a center (plausible), LeBron James could move over to point guard, allowing Knecht to start at small forward.

James, Austin Reaves, Knecht, Anthony Davis, and a new center look like a decent five right now.

Knecht also fits with a Lakers situation in which they acquire LaMelo Ball or Trae Young, which has been rumored.