Dalton Knecht Shines in Early NBA Career with the Los Angeles Lakers
Dalton Knecht, the No. 17 pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, is rapidly making a name for himself in the NBA. His journey, marked by a solid collegiate career and a promising start in the professional arena, has attracted attention both within the league and from eager Lakers fans who see him as a key piece for future success.
Knecht's notable performances on the court so far have affirmed the Lakers' belief in his potential. In a standout game against the Utah Jazz, Knecht scored a career-high 37 points, tying a rookie record by making nine 3-pointers. This performance was particularly impressive given its timing early in his career, underscoring his ability to score under pressure.
The Lakers' Vice President, Rob Pelinka, expressed satisfaction with Knecht's acquisition, emphasizing his unique combination of skills. "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," Pelinka stated. This enthusiasm from the team's leadership highlights the expectation that Knecht will continue to develop into a crucial asset for the franchise.
Despite an early setback in his first start against the Memphis Grizzlies, where he was forced to leave the game after being elbowed in the face by Jake LaRavia, Knecht quickly bounced back. In a subsequent game against the Grizzlies, he led the Lakers with 19 points, showcasing his remarkable precision from beyond the arc by shooting 5-for-5 from 3-point range. Such performances have helped improve the Lakers' ranking to fifth in the league, even though their overall 3-point shooting remains ranked at 22nd.
Reflecting on his draft experience, Knecht admitted, "Teams passed up on me and the Lakers thought they got the steal of the draft. And they did." This confidence is backed by his impressive stats, including a shooting percentage of 46.4% from beyond the arc following his first start of the season. His ability to maintain these numbers sustains the narrative of Knecht being undervalued before the draft, and positions him as an emerging force in the league.
Knecht's basketball journey has been one of perseverance and hard work. He spent two seasons playing junior college basketball before transferring to Northern Colorado, and eventually making a significant impact in his single season at the University of Tennessee, where he was named an All-American. Rod Clark, a Tennessee assistant coach, described the dual sides of Knecht, from a reserved demeanor to his engaging personality off the court. "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.'"
In his fledgling NBA career, Knecht has played eight games, showing glimpses of a promising career that could certainly blossom under the bright lights of Los Angeles. Gregg Polinsky's reflection, "If you hit more than 50%, you've done a good job. The draft is damn hard to do," gives credit to both the unpredictability of draft success and the hopeful reality that the Lakers made a wise choice. With his current trajectory, Knecht seems poised to become an integral part of the Lakers' aspirations for success in the coming seasons.
Knecht's story is just beginning, but his early achievements indicate a bright future ahead. As the Lakers seek to leverage his shooting skills and athleticism, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how far Knecht will go in redefining his role with the team and in the NBA at large. The journey of this All-American turned professional could potentially rewrite the narrative of overlooked talent soaring to remarkable heights on basketball's grandest stages.