SALT LAKE CITY — Dalton Knecht discovered himself in some of the awkward NBA conditions, taking part in for the Lakers once more after being dealt to Charlotte in a commerce that in the end was rescinded.
“It was a loopy time,” Knecht stated. “Not too many individuals have completed that, come again [after being traded]. However on the finish of the day, I simply wished to hoop.”
Knecht obtained that likelihood Wednesday evening, scoring 10 factors within the Lakers’ 131-119 loss in Utah. He hadn’t performed since Feb. 4 towards the Clippers. Then the Lakers packaged him in a commerce for Hornets middle Mark Williams earlier than the deadline, normal supervisor Rob Pelinka stopping the rookie halfway by way of a taking pictures routine on the group’s facility to ship him the information and ship him on this whirlwind.
“It felt like a film. After that [Clippers] recreation, I got here again the subsequent day and went to go get some pictures up within the health club … and Rob known as me up there and advised me the information. It was arduous,” Knecht stated. “I obtained drafted right here, so L.A. means so much. So, listening to that after which I’m going to Charlotte within the morning with one in all my guys and get launched and begin assembly all these individuals after which fly out to Detroit to what was known as my ‘debut recreation,’ to then, now I’m flying again to L.A.”
Coach JJ Redick praised Knecht and stated the group not is considering the rescinded commerce.
“His spirit was good. I believed he performed effectively,” Redick stated. “We’re not gonna speak about it anymore. We’ve talked about it. He’s in a great spot. We’re good.”
Charlotte reportedly has thought of methods to protest the Lakers’ choice to fail Williams in his bodily, which led to the commerce being rescinded.
“I had no clue, to be sincere,” Knecht stated when requested a couple of attainable protest. “I’m simply doing what I like to do, going on the market and taking part in. And like I stated, no matter occurs, occurs.”
Knecht, who will likely be at All-Star Weekend in San Francisco to take part within the Rising Stars recreation Friday, stated it was good being again within the Lakers locker room.
“Each single one in all them got here up and just about hugged me and stated, ‘What’s good?’ They stated, ‘Welcome again.’ After which clearly tonight, they stated, ‘It’s your debut recreation once more,’ ” he stated with a chuckle. “So on the finish of the day, it’s only a enterprise. I get the place Rob and JJ have been going. So, on the finish of the day, it’s simply going on the market and doing my job and taking part in basketball and doing what I like to do.”