The Los Angeles Lakers selected Dalton Knecht with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. On July 3, 2024, the rookie signed his contract with the franchise. Upon making his debut on the court, Knecht quickly showcased his skills, impressing fans and analysts. His performance was exceptional, as he significantly contributed to the team by dominating games with his scoring ability.
A surprising report about Knecht recently emerged on social media and stunned basketball fans. According to the report, Knecht averaged 19.6 points per game as a starter, with a 55% field goal percentage and a 50% three-point percentage.
In contrast, when coming off the bench, he averaged only 7.8 points per game, with a 48% field goal percentage and a 40% three-point percentage. This data clearly supports why Knecht should start for the Los Angeles Lakers instead of coming off the bench.
Should the Lakers start Dalton Knecht? pic.twitter.com/rEQrsIY0Xc
— SMJ (@SixthManJake) November 27, 2024
Knecht emerged as a formidable scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers. Notably, on November 19, he reached a remarkable career milestone, netting a staggering 37 points. This impressive performance included nine extraordinary three-pointers, contributing significantly to the team’s 124–118 victory over the Utah Jazz.
NBA Expert Sheds Light On Critical Factor For Knecht’s ROTY Prospects
Knecht began making an impact with notable achievements just a few games into his debut season. Recently, he tied the record for the most three-pointers made in a single game by a rookie in NBA history.
Recently, Lakers superstar LeBron James publicly praised the 23-year-old Knecht and even trolled other teams for passing on him in the draft. Fans are already speculating that Knecht could be a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year award. However, NBA analyst Zach Kram pointed out a key factor that could influence Knecht’s chances of winning the award
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“First things first: Knecht — who played five seasons across three different college stints, thanks to the extra year granted to athletes affected by COVID cancellations — is very old for a prospect. … History suggests that, despite his hot start, Knecht doesn’t have anywhere near the upside of many of those players,” Kram wrote in his latest reports.
I wrote about 23-year-old Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht, and what his hot start means for older prospects in the NBA drafthttps://t.co/1B5sOpnw1k
— Zach Kram (@zachkram) November 26, 2024
Knecht has already garnered significant attention among fans, analysts, and players. It will be fascinating to see how he performs in the upcoming games.
