The Los Angeles Lakers have exercised the team option for the 2026-27 season on Dalton Knecht's rookie contract, NBA veteran Keith Smith reported on Tuesday.

Knecht is in the second season of a four-year contract and is expected to earn $4.2 million in the 2026-27 season. The Lakers still have to decide in a year whether to exercise his $6.45 million team option for the 2027-28 season, at which point Knecht will become a restricted free agent.

The 24-year-old Knecht, the 17th overall pick in the 2024 first round, primarily plays forward. He played 78 games in the Lakers' rotation last season, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 19.2 minutes per game, shooting 46.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range.

Despite the Lakers' relative appreciation for Knecht's developmental potential, he was placed on the trade shelf during his rookie season. In February 2025, the Lakers agreed in principle to trade Knecht, Cam Reddish, a future first-round pick, and a first-round pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams. However, the deal fell through after Williams failed his physical.