Lakers' Rising Star: Dalton Knecht Makes a Statement
The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to marquee talent. From the days of Jerry West to the era of LeBron James, the spotlight has always shone brightly on those donning the iconic purple and gold. Now, the storied franchise may have discovered its latest gem in rookie sensation Dalton Knecht, whose early performances suggest he could very well be the steal of the draft.
Selected as the No. 17 pick, Knecht has quickly set about justifying the Lakers' faith in him. "Teams passed up on me and the Lakers thought they got the steal of the draft. And they did," Knecht claimed confidently. His early outings in the NBA have done much to back up this assertion, showcasing both his scoring ability and his potential to influence games at the highest level.
The University of Tennessee standout, who earned All-American honors, has impressed with his versatility and shooting prowess. Knecht announced himself emphatically with a staggering performance against the Utah Jazz, where he dropped 37 points and tied a rookie record by sinking nine 3-pointers. It's the kind of showing that places him in the conversation with the very best shooters in the league.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers Vice President, expressed excitement about what Knecht brings to the table. "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," said Pelinka. Knecht's shooting percentage of 46.4% from beyond the arc this season highlights his proficiency and places him among the most efficient shooters in the league.
His marksmanship has been a much-needed asset for a Lakers team that currently struggles in three-point shooting, ranked 22nd in the league. However, with the team's overall offense sitting at an impressive fifth place, the incorporation of Knecht’s shooting may well provide the missing piece to the Lakers' offensive arsenal.
Knecht's journey to the NBA has been anything but straightforward. With stints in junior college, Northern Colorado, and ultimately, Tennessee, his path reflects resilience and determination. It’s no surprise, then, that his steely resolve was on full display during his first professional start against the Memphis Grizzlies. Although forced out of the game after an unfortunate elbow to the face by Jake LaRavia, he returned to lead the Lakers with 19 points against the same team later, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from deep.
In just eight games, Knecht's adaptation to the NBA's frenetic pace and physicality has been noteworthy. His mental toughness and talent have not gone unnoticed by his peers and coaches. Tennessee assistant coach Rod Clark lauded Knecht's character, saying, "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.'"
As Knecht continues to develop his NBA career, how he adapts and refines his game will be significant for his long-term impact. While the draft can be a hard call, as Gregg Polinsky notes, "If you hit more than 50%, you've done a good job. The draft is damn hard to do," the Lakers' gamble on Knecht appears to be paying off.
Should he keep improving and maintaining his impressive form from beyond the arc, Dalton Knecht could very well be on his way to becoming a pivotal piece in the Lakers' quest for another championship. As this young talent blossoms under the bright lights of Los Angeles, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, eager to see how his story unfolds with each game he takes to the court.