Orlando's stagnant offense craves shooting. Dalton Knecht emerges as a potential deadline solution to ignite their perimeter attack.
Despite the necessary offseason moves to improve the Orlando Magic’s offense, their production has once again underwhelmed. The team recently shot just 12.5 percent from three-point range and committed 20 turnovers. Expecting Desmond Bane to fix everything was unrealistic, but he’s contributed and competed. Things should come around for him, yet it may not be enough for the bigger picture. A roster-shifting trade at the deadline could become a real possibility.
The Magic clearly need more premier offensive firepower, especially on nights when Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner struggle from deep. Desmond Bane can’t be relied on to shoulder the entire shooting load, which is why Bleacher Report projects the Magic to make a deadline trade for Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht to bolster their perimeter attack.
“If the Los Angeles Lakers don't plan on using Dalton Knecht in their rotation,” Bleacher Report added. “The Orlando Magic could use the second-year wing's three-point shooting. Orlando finished dead last in made threes and accuracy last season and could use one more wing on what's become a guard and big-heavy roster.”
Knecht would be a relatively affordable trade target for the Magic, as the Lakers haven’t given him many minutes this season. The main concern is his defensive ability and how he fits as another forward in the rotation. Still, Coach Jamahl Mosley’s system often elevates players on that end through effort and accountability. A lineup featuring Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, and Knecht could be a dangerous scoring combination.
“Knecht was the 17th overall pick in the 2024 draft and hit both his catch-and-shoot threes (37.4 percent) and pull-up threes (39.7 percent) at a high rate last season,” the article added. “Along with Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones, Knecht would help get the Magic's three-point attack back to a league-average level.”
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