Dalton Knecht's transition to the NBA has been anything but smooth, exemplifying the tumultuous nature of rookie life within the league. After being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers as the No. 17 overall pick, the Tennessee basketball star has displayed both promise and challenge on the court throughout the early parts of his rookie season.
Selected on June 21, 2024, Knecht became the highest-drafted player under Tennessee coach Rick Barnes. His collegiate achievements included being named the SEC Player of the Year and earning consensus first-team All-American honors, yet whispers of his age, 23, led to some speculation about his draft position. “I feel like I’ve been underrated my whole entire life,” Knecht remarked post-draft, indicating his enduring drive to prove critics wrong.
Fast forward to the present, Knecht’s performance with the Lakers has shown flashes of the star potential many anticipated. The rookie has taken to the court for all the team’s 35 games during the 2024-25 season, averaging 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists, complemented by solid shooting percentages of .461 from the field, .354 from three-point range, and .800 from the free-throw line. When translated to per 36 minutes, these numbers bolster to 15.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.7 three-pointers made. By statistical measures, Knecht’s debut season has been commendable.
Yet contrasting with his overall statistics lies the mystery of his performance disparity between starting and coming off the bench. To date, Knecht has started 12 games for the Lakers, where his averages jump to 14.3 points with significantly improved numbers across the board. Crucially, as a starter, he sees about 30.2 minutes of playing time, translating to increased scoring opportunities and expression of his talent. But when relegated to the bench, those numbers drastically decline, reflecting just 7.3 points per game with 2.5 rebounds and only 17.9 minutes of play.
This dramatic drop-off is concerning for the Lakers, especially with the expectations of Knecht being among the top performers. His three-point shooting percentage falls from approximately 39.3% as a starter down to 31.2% when he is part of the reserve lineup. Gaming dynamics have led to him being overlooked on the court, as evidenced by his lack of shot attempts during certain games. Against the Houston Rockets, for example, Knecht managed just three attempts throughout his 17 minutes.
Recently appointed Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised Knecht's talents but acknowledged the struggles his rookie faces. While the team has been relatively successful overall, Redick’s coaching style juxtaposes sharply against Knecht’s playing rhythm and shooting proficiency. Redick's inclination to draw up plays for Knecht sharply contrasts with the stagnant offense the Lakers have adopted since December, complicatively intertwining Knecht’s ability to adapt.
“I always feel like I got something to prove,” Knecht noted, and those sentiments remain strong as he endeavors to reclaim his efficacy on the court. The rookie has shown himself capable of scoring double figures, achieving this mark thrice over the past six games, but found the consistency difficult, suffering from confidence dips.
Knecht’s potential caught the eye of Lakers management during the draft when general manager Rob Pelinka expressed surprise at Knecht’s availability at No. 17. “We had him as a top-10 selection on our boards,” Pelinka said. Such high hopes out of the draft environment ideally translate to contributing positively on the Lakers roster, particularly as part of the mix with established stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Knecht articulated this pressure when enthusing about playing alongside players he grew up idolizing, describing it as “exciting” and “special.”
With LeBron’s mentorship and Redick’s coaching, the Lakers embody both high expectations and significant opportunities for Knecht to establish himself as the player he aspires to be. He'll need to work on making adjustments on the fly to carve out his niche within the team's strategies.
While Knecht may be currently battling to bridge the gap between starting and bench play, his rookie experience will serve as invaluable learning. Equipped with ambition, work ethic, and support from his teammates and coaching staff, the blueprint for success remains within reach. It's still early to deem his rookie campaign as anything but promising, albeit with notable challenges. The Los Angeles Lakers are maintaining the optimism of maxing out Knecht's potential, and the guiding wisdom of LeBron James could be just what he needs to thrive.