Dalton Knecht’s Journey: From College Star to Lakers’ Secret Weapon
EIGHT GAMES INTO his rookie season, Dalton Knecht found himself back in the state where he became a college basketball sensation. The Los Angeles Lakers forward was poised to continue his meteoric rise in the sport, but the NBA had other plans for him.
On Nov. 6, Knecht made his first career NBA start in Memphis, with his former University of Tennessee coach, Rick Barnes, sitting courtside. Barnes, who had a Volunteers Elite Eight ring in his pocket to present to Knecht, watched as the 6-foot-6 wing, who had led Tennessee to its deepest NCAA tournament run in over a decade, took the court. Knecht had been an All-American in his lone season with the Volunteers, and now, he was ready to prove himself on the NBA stage.
New Lakers coach JJ Redick, looking to spark his team during a tough five-game road trip, turned to Knecht. Redick had already praised Knecht as being in the top “1% of shooters” in basketball. The stage was set for a triumphant homecoming, especially after Knecht’s standout performances in the Las Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 21.3 points per game, and a preseason game where he dropped 35 points against his idol, Kevin Durant.
But the NBA can be unforgiving. With 5:46 left in the fourth quarter, Knecht was elbowed in the face by the Grizzlies’ Jake LaRavia, forcing him to exit the game. His first start ended in the locker room, with initial fears of a broken jaw. Knecht finished with just three points on 1-for-7 shooting, and the Lakers lost 131-114. Redick, frustrated by the team’s lack of competitiveness, let his players know it in the locker room postgame.
A Chance for Redemption
A week later, the Lakers hosted the Grizzlies in Los Angeles, and Knecht entered the game with a chip on his shoulder. “Go for the throat,” Knecht told ESPN. “They tried to embarrass us on their home court.” He was also fired up by Memphis star Ja Morant’s comments about being the “new king” while LeBron James was still in the league.
Knecht delivered. He scored 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting, including a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. In the fourth quarter, he hit a crucial three-pointer off a James assist and followed it up with a lob to Christian Koloko for a slam, helping the Lakers secure a 128-123 victory. “They were real disrespectful,” Knecht said. “We had that game ready on our minds.”
Finding His Groove
Since that game, Knecht has been on fire, averaging 17.4 points on 50% shooting and an impressive 46.4% from three-point range over the next eight games. His breakout performance came against the Utah Jazz, where he scored 37 points and hit nine of 12 three-point attempts. His emergence has transformed the Lakers’ offense, which now ranks fifth in the NBA after finishing 15th last season.
More importantly, Knecht might be the answer to the Lakers’ three-year search for a “laser” shooter to complement LeBron James. “We, as a front office, have sort of chased in theory the exact player he is, a movement shooter,” said Lakers GM Rob Pelinka. “And then not only is he a movement shooter, but a movement shooter with athleticism, which is a really unique combination.”
The Draft Night Steal
Knecht’s journey to the Lakers was anything but straightforward. Despite his stellar college career, he fell to the 17th pick in the draft. Pelinka, initially skeptical about Knecht’s availability, was thrilled when the opportunity arose. “Literally everybody was ecstatic,” a team source told ESPN. “Nobody was pissed off. Nobody was even close to being like, ‘Well, what about this?’ It was like zero discussion, zero argument. Everybody was just happy.”
Looking back, Knecht’s draft stock likely dropped due to concerns about his age (23) and his straightforward interview style. “He’s focused on basketball,” said Tennessee assistant coach Gregg Polinsky. “DK, he’s a baller, simply stated.”
Proving the Doubters Wrong
Knecht has wasted no time proving his worth. In a game against the Jazz, he tied a rookie record with nine three-pointers, scoring 21 points in just 3:29 of the third quarter. His performance drew comparisons to Klay Thompson, known for his ability to score efficiently with minimal dribbles.
Through six weeks of the season, Knecht is averaging 11.9 points on 48% shooting (42.9% from three) while making just $3.8 million. For comparison, Thompson is averaging 13.2 points on 38.3% shooting (36.8% from three) and earning $15.9 million.
The Future is Bright
Knecht’s success has given the Lakers a new dimension. His ability to space the floor and knock down shots has made him an invaluable asset alongside James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves. “Teams passed up on me, and the Lakers thought they got the steal of the draft,” Knecht said. “And they did.”
Originally Written by: Dave McMenamin
