“We would have never imagined a player as skilled and sort of perfect for our needs would be there for us as Dalton Knecht.” With the Tennessee guard available as low as number 17, Rob Pelinka was left thanking his stars on draft night. Sure enough, the Lakers couldn’t have asked for a better prospect who many believed would end up as a lottery pick. But was there a reason Knecht dropped so low in the draft? Well, media veteran Trevor Lane highlighted a major flaw in Knecht’s game. But don’t worry! The rookie seems well on his way to fix the issue.
Assessing Dalton’s potential, Lane said, “It’s not all good for Dalton Knecht. There’s a reason why he was on the board at 17 and it goes beyond just age.” Yes, while many believed his draft stock fell because he is 23-years-old, there are also concerns regarding his skills on the defensive end. Sure, Knecht proved himself as an elite scorer in college as he averaged 21.7 points as a senior. However, it was evident during Summer League that he has trouble staying in front of his opponents on defense and sliding his feet. Moreover, Lane claimed the rookie “doesn’t have a great feel for defensive side.”
However, that might not be a problem when regular season begins as according to reports, Knecht has undergone a major transformation and has been putting on muscle during the summer. Adding to the 6’6 197lbs frame he had in college, Knecht is expected to be even bigger when he begins his rookie season. While he is already quick and athletic, the added muscle will help him endure more contact on defense and keep up with his opponents. And the Lakers could use his talent right away as Lane mentioned on the Lakers Nation podcast.
With Knecht working on his physique and defensive skills, there might eventually be no weakness left in his game. During the Summer League, he already proved he is a great offensive player as he averaged 21.3 points in three games while shooting 39.1% from beyond the arc. And Rob Pelinka has high hopes from the rookie, “We think he’s a player who can play on next year’s team and make a real impact.” While most rookies don’t get much playing time in their first year, Knecht could get it right away because he is that skilled on offense.
