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Lakers Target Valanciunas, Trade Knecht for Wing Upgrade

7/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Lakers are weighing a trade that would send rookie forward Dalton Knecht to Denver for veteran center Jonas Valanciunas as backup to acquired Walker Kessler.
Valanciunas is owed $10 million next season, but only $2 million is guaranteed if Denver waives him before July 8.
The Lakers, holding three second-round picks from the Deandre Ayton deal, are shopping Jarred Vanderbilt and Knecht to acquire a wing like Rui Hachimura or Jonathan Kuminga.

History

Historical Context

On July 1 1996 the Lakers sent veteran center Vlade Divac to Charlotte for the draft rights to high-school phenom Kobe Bryant, a move that freed salary space and enabled the later signing of Shaquille O’Neal. The Hornets, bolstered by Divac, posted a franchise-best 54-28 record that year. The franchise now eyes a similar rookie-for-veteran swap.

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Story summary

Lakers are weighing a trade that would send rookie forward Dalton Knecht to Denver for veteran center Jonas Valanciunas as backup to acquired Walker Kessler.
Valanciunas is owed $10 million next season, but only $2 million is guaranteed if Denver waives him before July 8.
The Lakers, holding three second-round picks from the Deandre Ayton deal, are shopping Jarred Vanderbilt and Knecht to acquire a wing like Rui Hachimura or Jonathan Kuminga.

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