Dalton Knecht: Sleeper Pick of Lakers with Big Potential

The General Manager of Lakers , Rob Pelinka, was shocked by his good fortune when Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht was still on the table for the 17th selection. There were a lot of people who thought that Knecht, a highly promising prospect for the lottery, would have already been selected. Pelinka expressed disbelief that a player with such skill and perfect fit for their needs was available. Knecht’s strong offensive skills were attractive, but there was a specific reason for his low ranking.

Concerns About Defense

Trevor Lane, a seasoned media professional, highlighted the primary obstacle hindering Knecht’s progress, which was his defense. Even though Knecht scored an outstanding 21.7 points per game in his final year of college, his deficiencies on defense were evident in the Summer League. Lane observed that Knecht frequently struggled to keep up with his opponents and lacked a strong defensive instinct. Despite his height of 6’6″ and athletic abilities, Knecht still required improvement in this aspect of the game.

A Summer of Transformation

Knecht has dedicated the summer to improving his flaws. Moreover, reports indicate that he has been increasing his muscle mass on his 197-pound body. Furthermore, this increased power will assist him in handling physical interaction better and enhancing his defensive skills. Thanks to his speed and increased strength, Knecht is ready to shock the skeptics.

High Hopes from LeBron  and Pelinka

LeBron James, who has openly expressed his admiration for performance of Knecht in college basketball, referred to him as his top player in college basketball, along with his son Bronny. With James and Pelinka fully supporting him, Knecht is anticipated to make an immediate impact. His ability to score points has already been established. Moreover, he scored an average of 21.3 points in the Summer League, making 39.1% of his three-point shots.

Now, it’s on Knecht to show he can make a difference in winning, is he able to meet the Lakers’ lofty demands?. Time is the only thing that can determine the outcome.