Kobe Bryant’s former teammate, Metta Sandiford-Artest, has announced that he would like to be the head coach of whichever team Dalton Knecht plays next.

The Los Angeles Lakers waived Knecht, whom they drafted 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. This was a decision that was expected to be made as the former Tennessee player had a poor preseason with the Purple and Gold.

He scored 11 points against the Golden State Warriors in one game and then went scoreless in the remaining games, which was enough for JJ Redick to make the tough decision.

Knecht was a player who had some big games for the Lakers in the past, but ever since, the team decided to trade him to the Charlotte Hornets in 2025, things have just gone downhill for Knecht.

However, Artest is still convinced that Knecht is an All-Star-level talent.

Metta Sandiford-Artest says he would make Dalton Knecht work hard

Artest was one of the key pieces in the Lakers’ 2010 championship team. Alongside being an anchor on the defensive end, he was a big shot-maker. His three-pointer late in Game 7 helped the Lakers win their 16th NBA championship.

Knecht was expected to be the big shot-maker for the Lakers. He scored 21.7 points for Tennessee in his final year, while shooting 39% from three-point range. The Purple and Gold were elated to get a player with his ability as they needed someone to knock down shots alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

After a rookie season that had some promising performances, Knecht failed to show any sign of development in his sophomore season, averaging only 4.2 points on poor shooting.

The team’s decision to waive him has led many to speculate what his career is going to look like, but Artest believes there is still a player in there.

“Man I wished (wish) I coached Dalton Knecht. Wherever he goes, let me head coach. I love his game. He not white or black. He’s just a baller and future All-Star. I’ll make his a** work!!” wrote World Peace on X.

This is another bid from the one-time All-Star to be a head coach in the NBA. He publicly campaigned for the Knicks head coaching job and has been very vocal about how much he wants to be on the sidelines.

Knecht has upsides to his game, which is why an NBA team could definitely take their chances and add him to their roster. However, the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year’s chances of being a head coach are slim because he has not had much head coaching experience, and with names like Doc Rivers still out of a job, it is unlikely that Artest would be considered.