Knecht ready to help Lakers after nixed trade: 'Just want to go hoop'

Dalton Knecht has no hard feelings toward the Los Angeles Lakers' front office after a trade to send the rookie to the Charlotte Hornets was rescinded.

"I just want to go hoop. I told that to (head coach JJ Redick) and (general manager Rob Pelinka)," Knecht said Thursday after the Lakers' 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I get it's a business, so at the end of the day, I told them, 'Let's just go play basketball.'"

Knecht made the trip across the country last Thursday to join the Hornets, but the trade was called off Saturday, one day before Knecht was set to make his debut.

The first-year forward traveled back to Los Angeles on Sunday and met with Redick and Pelinka the following day.

Knecht made his first appearance since the failed transaction Wednesday versus the Jazz, tallying 10 points in 17 minutes.

The saga may not be over, as the Hornets reportedly contacted the NBA to dispute the Lakers' failed physical assessment of center Mark Williams.

Knecht is focused on bringing his best effort, regardless of how this all plays out.

"I'm just doing what I love to do, going out there and playing," Knecht said. "Whatever happens, happens. I'm just going to compete hard wherever I go, and hopefully it's L.A. Whatever happens, I'm just going to go out there and compete."

Knecht is averaging 9.4 points and shooting 36% from beyond the arc across 49 appearances this season.