A rumor emerged the other day that the Utah Jazz were among the teams the Los Angeles Lakers had discussed trading Dalton Knecht too. The Lakers and Knecht have been on the outs for some time now. However, for that reason, Utah could have absolutely had him when they had the chance from the Walker Kessler trade and passed, showing how they really feel.
The Jazz got pretty much everything they could from the Lakers with the Kessler trade, but it was pretty well known for some time that the Lakers had planned to move on from Knecht. So if the Jazz badly wanted him, it was right there and the Lakers wouldn't have thought twice to send him to Utah if that's what they wanted.
But the Jazz said no (or may have never inquired in the first place), and it makes sense. Knecht's value was really fallen off a cliff ever since the Lakers had a deal in place to send him to Charlotte. It's been a bit awkward between the two sides since then, and it's clear he's already one foot out of LA.
But that doesn't mean the Jazz wouldn't want Knecht period
Knecht isn't exactly expensive, but he is owed over $4 million. In the modern NBA, every penny on the payroll counts, now more than ever. Even if Knecht wouldn't be too expensive, acquiring him isn't an easy decision. Even worse, in his case, his value is nothing (most optimistically). There's no need to spend money on someone if he hasn't really proven his worth for some time.
Knecht is definitely worth the flyer, but because all signs point to him being waived, that's the easy to bring him aboard. Just wait until he clears waivers and then sign him as an unrestricted free agent. There's no need to bail the Lakers out of their problem unless it comes at a cost.
Utah more or less did them a favor by trading them Kessler, but they also more or less stripped LA of their future by doing so. Why do them another favor? Especially when you own their future? Takign Knecht isn't a huge favor, but it's pretty obvious the decision to make is letting the Lakers pay for their mistake while getting someone like Knecht for pennies.
For what it's worth, Knecht really is the biggest victim in all of this. His NBA career didn't deserve to take this kind of nosedive so early on when he has shown flashes of the player he can be (remember what he did to the Jazz two years ago?). He is simply a victim of teams like Utah playing the game right way.
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