The Los Angeles Lakers have had a rocky start to their NBA season, but rookie Dalton Knecht is quickly making a name for himself in the league. The No. 17 draft pick has shown immense promise with standout performances, punctuated by a spectacular display against the Utah Jazz where he scored a career-high 37 points and tied a rookie record with nine 3-pointers. This exceptional feat not only underscores his scoring capability but also his potential to become a critical asset for the Lakers.
A Steal in the Draft
The Lakers’ Vice President, Rob Pelinka, had high praise for Knecht, pointing out, “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 of movement shooting and athleticism seems to be exactly what the Lakers envisioned when drafting him, a vision that many teams overlooked. In Knecht's own words, “Teams passed up on me and the Lakers thought they got the steal of the draft. And they did.”
Rising to the Occasion
Knecht's debut performances have gone beyond expectations, quickly dispelling any doubts about his readiness for the league. Following his explosive game against the Jazz, he showed resilience and skill in a challenge against the Memphis Grizzlies, despite an unfortunate incident where he was forced out after an elbow to the face by Jake LaRavia. Knecht bounced back in their subsequent showdown, leading the Lakers with 19 points and delivering a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. These performances have pegged Knecht as a pivotal component of the Lakers’ offense, especially with the team ranked 22nd in 3-point shooting despite being fifth overall in offensive efficiency.
From College to the NBA
Knecht's journey to the NBA was not typical. After two seasons in junior college and two more at Northern Colorado, he played a season at the University of Tennessee, where he was recognized as an All-American. His college career laid the foundation for his sharpshooting skills, something Tennessee assistant coach Rod Clark happily recalls, "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.'"
Lakers’ Quest for Shooting Prowess
With Knecht shooting a remarkable 46.4% from 3-point range following his first start, his prowess from beyond the arc offers a much-needed boost for the Lakers’ shooting deficiencies. This efficiency makes him a central figure in the team’s offensive strategies as they aim to climb the ranks in the 3-point department.
Building a Legacy
As the Lakers continue through their season, the consistency and development of Knecht will be crucial. Although he has only appeared in eight games so far, his ability to contribute significantly—even in limited exposure—is promising. As veteran talent evaluator Gregg Polinsky reflected on the draft process, “If you hit more than 50%, you've done a good job. The draft is damn hard to do.” For the Lakers, Knecht's rise is a reassuring indication that their gamble might indeed pay off.
In a league where young talents are expected to make immediate impacts, Dalton Knecht is off to a compelling start. Blending physicality with precision shooting, he is shaping up to be the exact player the Lakers need—a potent blend of reliability and innovation poised to etch his mark on the NBA stage.