Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has been full of praise for second-year guard Dalton Knecht, revealing that the young wing has been the team’s best offensive player throughout training camp. Redick shared that the Lakers track player data during live play, and Knecht has reportedly scored 42 points more than any other player while shooting close to 60% from the field.
“I thought he let the game come to him offensively. Did some nice things in transition, got to the free-throw line. Again, his ceiling is going to be based on his improvement this season as a defender. He’s a big-time threat and a big-time player, and he’s made improvements, but ultimately that’s what’s going to define his ceiling.”
“Offensively, he’s been the best of any player on our team in camp. We’ve tracked everything: he shot 16 of 27 from the field and 12 of 20 from three in the second three-day segment. I mean, he’s literally the leading scorer in live play by about 42 points. So he earned the opportunity tonight to get a look with the starting lineup.”
“Our conversations all summer and throughout the preseason have been about this being a year of player development for him, of growth and what that looks like. It’s got to be incremental. He’s bought into that, which is great.”
It’s a huge statement for a player who, just a few months ago, was being labeled as a “negative asset” by rival scouts after a rocky offseason and Summer League. Knecht’s early struggles raised doubts about his role and long-term fit in Los Angeles, but under Redick’s guidance, the 24-year-old appears to be turning the corner.
In three preseason games so far, Knecht has steadily improved.
Against the Phoenix Suns in the opener, he struggled with his shot, finishing with six points and six rebounds while going 2-for-10 from the field.
In the next matchup against the Golden State Warriors, he bounced back with 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists, showing better shot selection and rhythm.
Then, in the Lakers’ 126-116 win over the Warriors on Sunday, Knecht had his best outing yet, tallying 16 points, three rebounds, and two assists on 4-for-9 shooting and 2-for-5 from deep.
That steady progress has been encouraging for both Redick and the Lakers’ front office. After all, Knecht was once viewed as a promising prospect: a strong, 6-foot-6 shooter who averaged 9.1 points on 46.8% shooting and 37.8% from three in his rookie season. But a difficult postseason and an almost-trade to Charlotte last February had clearly shaken his confidence.
Now, the message from Redick is clear: offense isn’t the question, defense is.
That challenge is a fair one. The Lakers’ new-look roster, built around Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, demands two-way versatility. With players like Marcus Smart, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura already established defensively, Knecht’s path to minutes will depend on whether he can hold his own on that end of the floor.
Still, Redick’s confidence in the young wing is a positive sign. After an offseason filled with trade rumors and speculation about his value, Knecht now seems to be earning his way back into the Lakers’ rotation through performance and patience.
If his offensive consistency continues and his defensive effort follows suit, Dalton Knecht could go from trade candidate to valuable rotation piece. For now, Redick’s endorsement is proof that his hard work is paying off and that the Lakers’ belief in his potential wasn’t misplaced.
