Is Dalton Knecht A Viable Option For Miami Heat?

The Miami Heat's offseason was one to remember as the team added one of the best players in the league, Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the team didn't stop there as Miami also brought in Klay Thompson, Bobby Portis, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Nick Richards as well. These moves have made the Heat one of the older rosters in the league, especially after the team parted with Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis as part of the deal for Antetokounmpo. All of those players are 26 years old or younger and now, there is a valid concern to be had about the team's youth.

Nikola Jovic, 23, is one player who the Heat have committed to for the foreseeable future as he was signed to a four-year, $62.5 million contract extension prior to last season. Now, that contract is now kicking in. Jovic was the team's first-round pick from 2022. Riley really liked what he had to offer for the foreseeable future. However, it seems the team is already regretting that contract decision as Jovic was basically a non-factor down the stretch of the regular season, only appearing in eight games post-January.

The Heat also extended guard Pelle Larsson this offseason. Larsson, the team's second-round pick in 2024, had a breakout season last year as the team suffered multiple injuries to the backcourt unit. He earned himself a four-year, $60 million rookie-scale contract extension that won't kick in until next season, playing out this season under his current rookie deal, earning a salary of about $2.3 million.

Now, there is a young player who was recently waived who the Heat could take a flyer on and add to this small but tight youth movement in Miami. Dalton Knecht, a first-round pick from 2024, was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday ahead of the roster cut deadline. He could be a solid addition for Miami.

Knecht, 25, had a historic collegiate senior season with the Tennessee Volunteers just a few years ago. Due to his amazing final season, he was selected in the first round of the 2024 draft by the Lakers. With the Lakers, Knecht started off hot and had a legitimate role in the rotation. However, in February 2025, the Lakers agreed to send him to the Charlotte Hornets as part of a deal for center Mark Williams. The deal was rescinded after Williams failed his physical and Knecht was sent back to Los Angeles. Knecht shot 37 percent from three-point range throughout his rookie season but after that trade fiasco, it was apparent the team didn't value him highly and his confidence looked shot as well.

Since that trade, his splits have declined tremendously and he didn't seem content in Los Angeles anymore, leading them to waive him this week. The Heat may take a flyer on a young player who has shown flashes in the past and maybe just needed a change of scenery. Erik Spoelstra could have a field day working with and developing a shooter and playmaker like Knecht.