The Los Angeles Lakers have picked up Dalton Knecht out of Tennessee for the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Knecht was expected by many to be a lottery selection but the 23-year-old shooting guard has been falling in the Draft order before being picked up by the Lakers to add shooting to their roster.
The Lakers take Tennessee's Dalton Knecht at No. 17 🍊🔥 pic.twitter.com/RsCAsS68RY
— ESPN (@espn) June 27, 2024
Knecht is coming off a five-year stint in college and is one of the oldest NCAA prospects in the Draft. He averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 45.8% shooting, including 39.7% from deep in his final year in college, playing for the D1 Tennesse Volunteers.
He started his NCAA career at the Northeastern Junior College in Colorado before transferring to Northern Colorado after two seasons. He averaged 20.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and transferred to Tennessee.
Knecht’s defense may take a while to translate to the NBA, as he isn’t very strong but is an intelligent POA defender who can keep himself ahead of the ball-handler. There’ll be a learning curve, but he comes into the Lakers as one of their best shooters already.
Knecht’s proven shooting ability with the potential to be a 3-and-D contributor is an asset for any team that wants to contend. Given the Lakers’ track record for developing guards in this mold, with Austin Reaves being the most recent example, Knecht might be in the perfect situation for his young career.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis will like this selection, as it spaces the floor further for them. defensive expectations from Knecht as a rookie should be measured, but the hope is he can also be a competent defender who can absorb pressure on the perimeter.
New Lakers coach JJ Redick will appreciate having a seasoned prospect such as Knecht to rely on, with the Lakers possibly losing their best shooter from last season, D’Angelo Russell, in free agency.
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