🏀 Highlighting A Lakers Rookie!

If you open up ANY sports media platform they’ll be talking a Lakers rookie alright, but they’ll be talking about LA’s second-round pick. When they zig, we zag, it’s just that simple. Let’s talk about the 17th overall pick, Dalton Knecht.

There’s been a lot of media coverage on a rookie in LA for the Lakers this preseason, but it hasn’t been their first-round pick. WIth the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Dalton Knecht out of Tennessee. In a draft class that seemed to be a little weird without the one marquee name that everybody was expecting to go early, there was plenty of talent that slid down the board.

Knecht (pronounced ‘connect’ by the way. Like Connect 4. Which is the game where you have to get four of your pieces in a row either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Never forget about the diagonals! Anyways…) is 23 years olf and comes into the league with some experience. A lot of the top overall picks are usually freshmen who have very high ceilings but are still a little raw. Knecht has all the tools.

In his last year at Tennessee, he averaged 22 points and shot a remarkable 40% from beyond the arc. You would expect a drastic dropoff going into preseason but he kept it up with 18 points per game and 36% shooting from downtown! Knecht is a bucket getter! He will play a pivotal role in the Lakers bench play this season.

In yesterday’s home opener, the 6’6 rookie got 15 minutes off the bench. At times I’m sure you confused him for Austin Reaves out there but I’m sure we won’t make that mistake again (definitely will…). In these minutes, he went 2/4 from the field, hitting his first two shots for 5 points. He tacked on a rebound and 2 assists.

Does 5, 2, and 1 jump off the stat sheet? No. It doesn’t. But hey. That’s ok! It’s not supposed to be fireworks right out of the gate for everybody! Knecht will find his spot, and as he gains more and more confidence this year, he will absolutely be a reason the Lakers have success this year!

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