With Dalton Knecht falling to the Lakers in 2024 NBA Draft, the pairing could be a best-case scenario for both parties.
When the Lakers selected Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 pick, Lakers fans and NBA experts alike loved the move.
Knecht was projected as a lottery pick and fell to the Lakers, giving them an exciting prospect coming off an impressive season at Tennessee, where he averaged 21.7 points and shot 39% from 3-point range.
Since being drafted, he had an impressive showing at the Las Vegas Summer League, including a 20-point game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the season about to begin, Knecht talked with ESPNLA on Media Day regarding the upside of dropping to the Lakers.
“I think it’s a blessing in disguise,” Knecht said. “I get to learn from one of the greatest basketball players to ever play in [LeBron James] and also have [Anthony Davis] down there. It’s been good. I think it’s really a blessing I get to be a part of this and watch greatness.”
There are worse places to drop down to than Los Angeles.
As we’ve seen with other young prospects, if you play well here, the attention and praise you receive will be higher than virtually anywhere else.
Players like Austin Reaves got shoe deals early because they were making waves in Los Angeles. The same goes for Kyle Kuzma and his Puma contract.
If Knecht is a good player for the Lakers, the rewards will soon come, be it a significant role on this team, a sponsorship, a big payday once his rookie deal is over or all of the above.
However, Lakers fans need to have tempered expectations for Knecht this season. The starting lineup is solidified and with head coach JJ Redick wanting a nine-man rotation, it’s tough to see Knecht getting one of those spots early on.
Despite being a play-in team the last few seasons, it’s hard to imagine a win-now squad like the Lakers giving a rookie such a significant role at the start of the season.
Over the past three years, Reaves has had the biggest role as a rookie, playing in 61 games and averaging 23.2 minutes during those matchups. Behind him is Max Christie’s rookie campaign, where he played in 41 games and clocked 12.5 minutes a night.
Both players are still with the Lakers, have had their paydays and are key to the team’s success. This is the path fans hopes Knecht can replicate as he begins his rookie year.
With training camp underway and preseason action looming, we’ll soon get an on-court update on his progress compared to previous baby Lakers.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.
