No one knows for sure if the Miami Heat will eventually trade Andrew Wiggins, but if they do, and the Los Angeles Lakers emerge as the landing spot, Dalton Knecht should be one player the team targets in any return.
As Miami looks to continue to retool this roster around Bam Adebayo (and perhaps Tyler Herro), Knecht is not only a player who would add another element to the team's young core, but he could be the long-term answer to replacing Duncan Robinson.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Lakers would still be interested in a trade for Wiggins under the right circumstances. Even though nothing seems imminent between the two teams, this is certainly a situation worth monitoring over the next few months.
This could absolutely be a possibility that is revisited closer to the NBA Trade Deadline, especially if this season gets away from the Heat sooner than many expect it to. If that were to happen, Miami's front office should 100 percent shift gears and approach the trade deadline as a seller.
In that scenario, prioritizing a player like Knecht in a return for Wiggins could be a sneaky strong move for the Heat.
Dalton Knecht could be a Heat reclamation project
Through it all, Knecht had a pretty solid rookie season for the Lakers. He may not have played a big role for the team down the stretch or in the NBA Playoffs, but the talent is clearly there. If the Heat is looking for another talented reclamation project, Knecht could be a clear fit.
Even if it's just his shooting ability that has caught the Heat's eye, it's certainly a skill set that this organization has prioritized in the past. Many times, the Heat has managed to make lemonade out of lemons, even if that's the only skill a young player may have.
Knecht is clearly much more than just a sharpshooter; he just hasn't been able to consistently show that through the first year of his career.
If the Heat truly believes in their developmental season, which the results speak for themselves, it would make sense for Knecht to be on the team's radar. In the event that the Heat can't pry a future first-round pick away from the Lakers, Knecht could very much be the next best thing.
Should the Heat be able to get Knecht and a first-round pick in exchange for Wiggins at the trade deadline, they should take the deal and run.