Dalton Knecht’s Wild Rookie Season: How D’Angelo Russell’s Advice Became His Lifeline

The Los Angeles Lakers have never been short on drama, and rookie Dalton Knecht has been right in the middle of it this season. From an unpredictable role in the rotation to nearly being shipped off in a trade, Knecht has endured a rookie campaign that few could have predicted. But amidst all the chaos, the best piece of advice he received didn’t come from LeBron James, Anthony Davis, or even his new teammate Luka Doncic—it came from an unexpected source: D’Angelo Russell.

The Best Advice Knecht Received: Keep It Moving

Being an NBA rookie is tough. One night, you’re playing major minutes; the next, you’re glued to the bench wondering if your coach even remembers you exist. Knecht has experienced this firsthand. But thanks to D’Angelo Russell, he’s learned how to handle the mental side of the game.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Knecht revealed the most impactful advice he received this season:

“D-Lo, he gave me the best advice. Right after a game, just move on. Don’t care about how you did. Just move on because you got the next game coming towards you. No matter how high or how low that game was, you got to move on and be ready to play the next one and get better.”

Simple? Yes. But absolutely necessary for survival in a league where confidence can be shattered in an instant. Knecht has had to apply this advice more than he ever imagined.

The Trade That Wasn’t

Just when Knecht thought his rookie season couldn’t get any more unpredictable, the Lakers decided to trade him to the Charlotte Hornets at the deadline. It was the kind of move that makes a player question everything—was he not good enough? Was he just a throw-in piece?

But just as quickly as he was sent packing, he was yanked right back. The trade was rescinded before he could even suit up for Charlotte, making for one of the most awkward return moments in recent NBA history.

Imagine being told, “Hey, we’re moving on without you,” only to hear, “Wait, never mind, you’re back.” How do you even walk into that locker room again? Do you shake hands? Act like nothing happened?

For some players, that kind of situation could be mentally crushing. But thanks to Russell’s advice, Knecht took it in stride. He returned to the court for one last game before the All-Star break, showing that he wasn’t going to let the off-court chaos mess with his mindset.

All-Star Weekend: A Moment to Breathe

If Knecht needed any kind of morale boost, he found it at All-Star Weekend. The rookie participated in the Castrol Rising Stars game, where his team won and advanced to the All-Star Game itself. It was a much-needed moment of validation, proving to himself (and others) that despite the ups and downs, he still belonged in this league.

It also served as a reminder that no matter what happens with playing time or trades, talent will always find a way to shine.

From Learning Under LeBron to Studying Luka

Knecht’s rookie year has been a crash course in basketball greatness. First, he got to learn from two of the best in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Then, thanks to the rescinded trade, he now gets the opportunity to study Luka Doncic up close.

Not many rookies get this kind of exposure to generational talent. If Knecht is smart, he’ll soak up every bit of knowledge he can, because being around players of this caliber doesn’t just teach you basketball—it teaches you how to navigate the NBA as a whole.

And let’s be real—if Luka gives you a tip on how to improve your offensive game, you listen.

Will Knecht See More Playing Time?

With the Lakers in a fierce battle for playoff positioning, minutes are going to be harder to come by. The arrival of Dorian Finney-Smith, acquired in the trade that sent Russell away, adds even more competition to the rotation.

So, will Knecht see meaningful minutes down the stretch? That depends on a lot of factors—injuries, matchups, and his ability to make the most of any opportunity he gets. But if we’ve learned anything about him, it’s that he’s not dwelling on the past. He’s ready for whatever comes next.

Thanks to Russell’s advice, Knecht has learned the most important skill an NBA player can have: the ability to move forward, no matter what happens.

And who knows? Maybe in a few years, he’ll be the one passing that wisdom down to another rookie, telling them, “Just move on. The next game is coming.”