The Los Angeles Lakers are actively exploring a consolidation trade that could involve rookie wing Dalton Knecht and veteran forward Maxi Kleber, according to league sources familiar with the team’s front office discussions. The potential deal appears to be part of a broader effort by the Lakers to retool their roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis while maximizing their window of contention.
The term “consolidation trade” refers to a move in which a team combines multiple assets — typically younger players or contracts — in exchange for a more proven or versatile contributor. In this case, the Lakers are believed to be shopping Knecht, their promising first-round pick from the 2024 NBA Draft, and Kleber, who was recently acquired as part of a smaller trade package and holds value as a stretch big.
Knecht, a sharpshooting wing out of Tennessee, was selected with the 17th overall pick and impressed during Summer League play with his scoring instincts, three-point range, and competitive drive. Despite his strong showing, the Lakers’
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