Aside from the monumental free agency decisions the Los Angeles Lakers will have to make, they’ll also need to consider moves to fortify their bench. An Indiana Pacers beat writer has tapped Dalton Knecht as a potential offseason target, formulating a proposal that sees the Lakers acquire an intriguing two-way wing.
Lakers’ Dalton Knecht Linked to Pacers in Promising Swap
Pacers Beat Writer Proposes Deal for Knecht
Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star recently posited several offseason targets for the Pacers, including Knecht and the Lakers for a swap of 3-point shooters. Dopirak proposed a mock trade in which the Lakers land Ben Sheppard and a second-round pick.
In outlining his reasoning for the deal, Dopirak explained that going after Knecht would help them keep Jarace Walker, giving the Pacers “players on rookie-scale contracts who are unlikely to receive contract extensions from the teams that drafted them.“ Citing Knecht’s fall from grace from backup to benchwarmer, he added:
“…he’s on a cheap contract, he has a club option for 2027-28 and he might benefit from playing in the Pacers’ wide open system. On the flip side, the Lakers might be able to use Ben Sheppard’s defense off the bench.”
In 54 games and 10.2 minutes per contest, Knecht averaged 4.2 points per game on 45.5% shooting from the field and 34.2% from 3-point range. Buried on the bench in favor of stars and veteran contributors, the 17th pick in the 2024 draft logged just seven games with double-digit scoring this season. It’s a far cry from a more effective rookie campaign that saw seven 20-point performances from him—including a career-high 37 with nine 3-pointers.
With Knecht out of favor in Los Angeles and the team clearly needing bench help, such a deal for the Pacers’ young sharpshooter could be just what the doctor ordered.
Ben Sheppard’s Appeal and Fit With the Lakers
Sheppard is the exact kind of 3-and-D wing the Lakers want around Luka Doncic and co. The 26th pick in 2023, Sheppard is a legit sharpshooter who grew into an efficient contributor for Indiana’s second unit. Aside from his main two-guard role, Sheppard also spent some time at point guard and small forward as the Pacers dealt with an injury-riddled campaign.
In 65 games (20 starts) this season, he posted a career-high 7.1 points per game on 43.4% shooting from the field and 36.2% from deep. Sheppard also tallied 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.6 steals per game. Among his highlights were a season-high 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting (3-of-7 from deep) against the Nets last November, as well as a 15-point outing off the bench against OKC in October.
With Luke Kennard entering free agency this summer, Sheppard would serve as a valuable and younger replacement. In addition to his efficient offense, the 26-year-old proved to be a solid defender and rebounder while continuing to grow as a playmaker. Sheppard’s scoring also went beyond his jumper, as he ventured into the lane and finished with athletic slams and contact layups. His versatility—in terms of both production and positioning—could easily help the Lakers, who remain on the hunt for multi-faceted two-way wings.
The Last Word
Ben Sheppard would be an underrated pickup for the Lakers, helping a squad that struggled with bench scoring while being flexible enough to handle multiple roles if needed. Capitalizing on his career year and developing him into a premier contributor would be vital for LA’s supporting cast, as the Lakers search for players that fit their next timeline with Doncic at the helm.
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