If you’re familiar with the college basketball scene, then you probably also are a fan of Dalton Knecht. During the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday, all eyes were on the Lakers to see who exactly they would use their 17th pick. Not much to anyone’s surprise, the Los Angeles team called the former Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht.
After Knecht was selected by the Lakers, franchise general manager Rob Pelinka expressed his surprise at getting the 23-year-old so easily. “We would’ve never imagined a player as skilled and sort of perfect for our needs would be there for us as Dalton Knecht,” Pelinka said to the press following the selection of Knecht.
“SEC Player of the Year, one of the toughest conferences … he’s a 3-level scorer … he’s going to defend. He’s physical and athletic. We just think he fits so well with our pillar pieces,” added Pelinka.
Knetch averaged 21.7 points for the Tennessee Volunteers with 45.8% floor shooting and an impressive 39.7% from beyond the 3-point arc. Getting him was certainly a steal for the Lakers, and new HC, JJ Redick, is well aware of that.
JJ Redick Already Planning for Dalton Knecht
JJ Redick met with the media on Monday for his welcome press conference and was very detailed about his plans for the franchise. From tactical tweaks to focus on Anthony Davis to analytics, Redick mentioned everything in a bid to hit the ground running.
The same continued on Wednesday as GM Rob Pelinka revealed JJ Redick’s reaction to the Dalton Knecht draft. “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 pindowns and ATOs and actions where he could run a movement shooter off screens,” Pelinka told media.
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He further added, “So, I think his mind is already working on drawing up plays for Dalton. Just really, really excited.”
With D’Angelo Russell’s exit imminent, the Lakers needed someone exactly like Knecht’s profile. While he won’t be operating from the PG position, there are early signs of him matching Redick’s plans of shooting more 3s. Given Knecht’s shooting prowess, he will just fit in fine.
