Dalton Knecht seemed to be a promising rookie when he joined the Los Angeles Lakers as the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft. He even got decent playing time last season, averaging 9.1 points. However, his production declined this season (4.2), and he was only seen playing with the rookie squad. Finally, this season, he seemed like himself in the last game, and fans were relieved.
Knecht scored 17 points in the last game against the Utah Jazz, making five of six shots from deep. And all those points came in the fourth quarter alone. The Lakers’ official X account shared the highlights and wrote:
“Dalton took OVER in the fourth”
The Lakers will face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the postseason. Luka Doncic is in Slovenia, nursing his hamstring sprain, and Knecht’s good form would only give more options to head coach JJ Redick going into the playoffs.
Fans hail Dalton Knecht and compare his development to Bronny James
Fans were happy to see Dalton Knecht doing well once again after facing the rookie wall for a long time. The timing is also crucial, as the team is set to enter the postseason and would need every positive sign to make a serious title run.
One fan wrote:
“Happy for him. I really hope this can help him get over the mental slump he’s been in since the rescinded trade.”
Another fan highlighted that Knecht’s similar form could give the Lakers a big advantage, but was skeptical of the possibility. The user wrote:
“If only we could get this version of Knecht in the playoffs…JJ would be forced to play him…dude is a sniper, but that confidence prob gonna fade once again”
Another user stated that Knecht deserved more chances in the regular season and wrote:
“HE CAN PLAY! It’s unfair that knecht has had a string of DNPs since his failed trade to the hornets. lakers must take responsibility for this kid’s development because he has the potential to be a good role player.”
One more user compared his development to Bronny James and opined that he should be given more chances, writing:
“All this time he could have been playing in the latter portion of the season and furthering his development he was getting DNPs. Now we really need him, and he unfortunately will go back to not playing. Could have had him and Thiero hoopin. Instead, we got Bronn”
One more user commented in the same line and wrote:
“Dalton is an excellent player all around
Sad that JJ Reddick gives more time to Bronny than Dalton”
The first game between the Lakers and the Rockets will be played on March 18. The tone of the series will be set in the first game, and if the Lakers plan to play the season without Doncic, the first win will be important.
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