Heading into the 2024 NBA Draft, many experts had Dalton Knecht ranked among the top 10 prospects. While some thought his potential might not be as high as others, he was still considered a player who could make an impact right away. Winning SEC Player of the Year showed that he could perform well under pressure.
When Knecht fell to the Lakers at the 17th overall pick, it surprised everyone. Many viewed him as one of the biggest steals of the draft. So far, he’s proving them right, especially after his 37-point performance against the Utah Jazz, where he tied an NBA rookie record with nine 3-pointers.
In many cases, a player’s success isn’t determined by how high they are drafted, but by the team they join. Knecht was a bit surprised by his drop in the draft, but he’s happy with where he ended up.
“I would say a little bit,” Knecht said when asked about being surprised by his draft position. “I did what I did in college. A lot of people said I was the best player, so when I did fall, it was alright because I landed in a great spot.
I got to play with LeBron, I mean, who could say that? And then also AD. I went to a great franchise and I’m very blessed to be here.”
The Lakers have needed a reliable sharpshooter for a long time, and Knecht has stepped up. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis drawing attention, Knecht often gets open looks. When defenses adjust to his shooting, he’s shown he can drive to the basket or dish the ball to teammates for easy scores.
Most teams that draft players in Knecht’s range hope to get a solid role player, but the Lakers seem to have found more than that. Knecht has won over his teammates, coaches, and fans, and things are looking bright for him moving forward.
When asked about his big night against the Jazz, Knecht said he knew it would be special after hitting his first shot.
“The first shot,” Knecht explained. “Every time I see one go in, I think the next one’s going in. Even if I miss it, I always have confidence that my next shot is going in. My dad always told me that, so that’s just my confidence.”
