The Los Angeles Lakers made a strategic move by selecting Dalton Knecht from Tennessee with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Knecht, a 23-year-old shooting guard, was widely projected to be a lottery pick but saw his draft stock slip before the Lakers snagged him to bolster their shooting capabilities.
Knecht spent five years in college, making him one of the older prospects in this year’s draft class. In his final season at Tennessee, he posted impressive averages of 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 45.8% overall and 39.7% from beyond the arc.
His collegiate journey began at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado before transferring to Northern Colorado for two seasons, where he averaged 20.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, before making his way to Tennessee.
While Knecht’s defensive abilities may need refinement for the NBA, he is recognized as a smart perimeter defender who can effectively guard his assignment. His primary on-ball defense skills are a strength, though he may face a learning curve adjusting to the NBA level.
Knecht’s greatest asset lies in his proven ability to shoot from long range and potentially contribute as a 3-and-D player, a valuable skill set for any team aiming to contend. Given the Lakers’ history of developing guards like Austin Reaves, Knecht finds himself in an ideal environment to kickstart his professional career.
The Lakers’ decision to draft Knecht is likely to benefit stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis by further spacing the floor. While expectations for his defense as a rookie should be tempered, there is optimism that he can grow into a competent defender capable of handling perimeter pressure.
New Lakers head coach JJ Redick will value Knecht’s experience and shooting prowess, particularly with the potential departure of D’Angelo Russell, the team’s top shooter from last season, in free agency.
