Dalton Knecht Struggles to Find Rhythm in California Classic
Dalton Knecht, a highly anticipated young talent, has faced a challenging start to his summer league debut during the California Classic. The Los Angeles Lakers' recent loss to the Golden State Warriors, where they fell 92-68, highlighted Knecht's ongoing struggle to find his shooting form.
In Sunday’s game, Knecht managed to put up 12 points but did so with a dismal shooting performance, hitting just 3-of-13 from the field in his 22 minutes of play. This performance followed a similarly tough outing on Saturday, where he finished 3-of-12. Across his first two summer league games, Knecht's jump shots have been particularly problematic, with a concerning 13.3% accuracy, as he has converted only 2-of-15 attempts.
One silver lining in Knecht's game has been his ability to get to the free-throw line. Over the two games, he made it there 14 times, though his efficiency at the rim remains a work in progress, with he successfully converting only 4-of-8 attempts.
This early performance is a stark contrast to the numbers Knecht posted in his final collegiate season at Tennessee, where he averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game. A notable shooter, he also managed to connect on 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers according to Synergy Sports. Such stats made Knecht a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft, but his draft night saw him slide out of the lottery, leaving some to question his fit in the NBA.
Despite his early struggles, the Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson remains confident in Knecht’s abilities and future performance. "Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come. He's a great player, so I'm not worried about him missing some of the shots he's taking. He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it," Johnson remarked.
Knecht himself understands the need for patience and adjustment. Reflecting on his recent performance, he explained, "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting. … Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot." Knecht's resilience and positive attitude shine through despite the rough start, a testament to his belief in his capabilities.
The Lakers will have one more opportunity in the California Classic to showcase their talent and make adjustments as they face the Miami Heat on Wednesday. For Knecht, it offers another chance to rediscover his rhythm and demonstrate why he was so highly regarded coming out of college.
As the summer league progresses, all eyes will be on Knecht to see if he can translate his collegiate success onto the professional stage. The learning curve is steep, and the summer league's condensed format leaves little room for prolonged struggles. Yet, with the support of his coaches and his steadfast shooting philosophy, Knecht remains poised and focused on making his mark in the NBA.