Dalton Knecht is quickly becoming a household name in the basketball world, thanks to a string of eye-catching performances with the Los Angeles Lakers. While the franchise has a storied history of nurturing exceptional talent, the emergence of Knecht, drafted as the No. 17 pick, appears to be something special. With his unique blend of shooting prowess and athleticism, Knecht is capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike.
A Promising Start
Selected by the Lakers after other teams passed up on him, Knecht is proving his worth in the NBA. "Teams passed up on me and the Lakers thought they got the steal of the draft. And they did," Knecht boldly stated. His self-assuredness is well-founded, demonstrated notably when he scored a career-high 37 points against the Utah Jazz, tying a rookie record with nine 3-pointers in a game that highlighted his shooting capabilities.
Knecht's journey to the NBA was unconventional, spending two seasons in junior college, two at Northern Colorado, and a final season at the University of Tennessee, where he was named an All-American. His varied experience across different levels of competitive basketball has polished his skills, making him a valuable asset for the Lakers.
Rising Stock
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers Vice President, acknowledged Knecht's unique skill set, stating, "We, as a front office, have sort of chased in theory the exact player he is, a movement shooter. And then not only is he a movement shooter, but a movement shooter with athleticism, which is a really unique combination." This combination has allowed Knecht to maintain an impressive shooting percentage of 46.4% from beyond the arc, following his first start of the season.
In a recent game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Knecht managed to score 19 points despite an injury setback in a previous contest against the same team, where he was elbowed in the face by Jake LaRavia. Notably, Knecht went 5-for-5 from 3-point range, underscoring his efficiency as a shooter.
Challenges and Adaptations
While Knecht’s individual performances have been stellar, the Lakers’ overall 3-point shooting is ranked 22nd in the league, even as their offense stands at a more enviable fifth. This contrast highlights the areas where the team still has room for improvement. With a player like Knecht, who can contribute significantly from the perimeter, there's potential for the Lakers to elevate their long-range game.
Off the court, Knecht presents a contrasting personality. "Some people have met him and they're like, 'Yeah, he doesn't talk much, right?' And then people that know him are like, 'Man, that dude's funny as hell,'" said Tennessee assistant coach Rod Clark, hinting at the dual aspects of Knecht’s personality that make him a compelling presence both on and off the court.
Long-Term Prospects
Having played eight games in his professional NBA career so far, Knecht’s trajectory is one of promise and potential. Yet, as Gregg Polinsky insightfully noted, "If you hit more than 50%, you've done a good job. The draft is damn hard to do." Knecht's journey may be in its infancy, but if his current performances are any indication, the Lakers may indeed have landed a steal, potentially reaping long-term dividends from this rookie sensation.
In an ever-competitive league, Dalton Knecht's blend of resilience, skill, and self-assurance is refreshing. As he continues to settle into his role with the Lakers, the basketball world watches with bated breath, curious to see just how far this rising star will go.