The start of the JJ Redick coaching era with the Los Angeles Lakers was marked by a bold and controversial move in the 2024 NBA Draft. With the No. 17 pick, the Lakers selected Dalton Knecht, a sharpshooter from Tennessee who was widely considered a top-10 talent. This unexpected fall in the draft prompted immediate action from Redick and the Lakers’ front office, who saw Knecht as the perfect fit for their new direction.
For many analysts and fans, Knecht’s selection was a no-brainer given his skills as a movement shooter, drawing inevitable comparisons to Redick himself. Knecht fueled these comparisons by revealing that he had studied Redick’s play extensively during his college days.
“That’s really exciting,” Knecht said. “At Tennessee, I watched a lot of JJ Redick (film) with (TEN) Coach Barnes, just the way (Redick) moves and paces himself, and was able to create space … It’s going to be real special.”
Knecht, at 23, comes into the NBA with significant college experience. He spent two years with Northern Colorado before transferring to Tennessee, where he averaged 21.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in his final season, shooting an impressive 45.8% from the field and 39.7% from three-point range on 6.5 attempts per game. His prowess as a small forward made him a highly coveted prospect, and many experts had him ranked among the best in the 2024 draft class.
JJ Redick’s enthusiasm for Knecht was evident from the outset. Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ GM, shared that Redick was already drawing up plays for Knecht soon after the draft selection was made.
“I was joking with Coach Redick upstairs that, you know, we found a movement shooter to match his skills as a player, and he already had his whiteboard out drawing up pin downs and ATOs and actions where he could run a movement shooter off screens,” Pelinka revealed.
This proactive approach by Redick underscores his commitment to molding Knecht into a key player for the Lakers. Despite the fact that Knecht’s agent did not arrange a workout with the team due to the expectation of an earlier draft selection, Pelinka and Redick had been following his progress closely and were prepared to make their move.
The Lakers faced significant constraints due to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which limited their ability to acquire immediate help through trades. This made their draft pick at No. 17 crucial. The team’s internal mock draft had Knecht going in the top 10, making his availability at 17 an opportunity too good to pass up.
Knecht’s skill set as a tall perimeter threat who can guard multiple positions and handle the ball fits perfectly with the Lakers’ immediate needs. After last year’s disappointing first-round pick of Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Lakers were under pressure to secure a player who could make an instant impact. Knecht appears to be that player.
The selection of Dalton Knecht and the beginning of the JJ Redick era in LA bring a fresh and dynamic approach to the LA Lakers. Redick’s background as one of the NBA’s premier shooters provides him with a unique perspective on developing a player like Knecht, who has the potential to thrive under his mentorship. However, this move also raises questions about the Lakers’ long-term strategy and how they plan to integrate Knecht into a team that already boasts significant star power.
While some may view the comparison between Redick and Knecht as premature, it undeniably sets a high bar for the young player. Redick’s early engagement and enthusiasm are promising signs, but the true test will come as the season unfolds and Knecht adapts to the NBA’s demands.
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