Lakers add Dalton Knecht with No. 17 pick in 2024 NBA Draft – NBC Los Angeles

The Lakers could have discovered their scorer of the longer term and current.

On a pivotal evening in Brooklyn, the Los Angeles Lakers selected a participant for each their current and future, by deciding on Tennessee scorer Dalton Knect with the seventeenth total decide within the first spherical of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday evening.

Forward of the draft, there have been many questions on whether or not or not the Lakers would really make the choice, or embrace the decide in a pre-draft commerce with one other crew.

There have been a number of blockbuster trades main as much as the draft, a very powerful of which, was the New York Knicks going all in on their former Villanova gamers on their roster by buying and selling away Bojan Bogdanovic, 4 unprotected first-round picks, and one protected first-round decide, in alternate for ahead Mikal Bridges.

However, the Lakers opted to maintain their first-round choice to bolster their roster now, whereas additionally trying forward in the direction of the longer term.

Knecht’s journey to this second is nothing in need of exceptional. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 212 kilos, he emerged as a standout guard in his lone season on the College of Tennessee this yr.

Averaging a formidable 21.7 factors per sport with capturing splits of 45.8% from the sector, 39.7% from past the arc, and 77.2% from the free-throw line, Knecht led the SEC in scoring and was a dominant pressure on the courtroom. His efficiency earned him First Staff All-America honors and the title of SEC Participant of the Yr.

Earlier than his time at Tennessee, Knecht honed his abilities at Northern Colorado, the place he performed for 2 seasons. Over his 103 Division I video games, Knecht averaged 16.9 factors, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, constantly proving his scoring prowess. He scored in double figures in 75 of these video games, together with 38 with 20 or extra factors, 11 with 30 or extra, and one memorable 40-point efficiency.

Knecht’s early years had been spent at Northeastern Junior Faculty in Colorado, following his commencement from Prairie View Excessive College in Henderson, Colorado. From ignored highschool expertise to varsity standout, his winding path to stardom speaks volumes about his resilience and willpower.

Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ Vice President of Basketball Operations and Basic Supervisor, expressed his pleasure about Knecht’s choice in an announcement launched by the crew.

“It’s a particularly thrilling evening for the Los Angeles Lakers. We’d have by no means imagined a participant as expert and excellent for our wants could be there for us,” mentioned Pelinka. “We had him as a high 10 participant unanimously throughout our scouting boards.”

Pelinka emphasised Knecht’s aggressive nature, calling him a “three-level scorer” who excels on each ends of the ground. Knecht’s capacity to defend, his physicality, and his athleticism make him a invaluable 3-and-D participant, becoming seamlessly into the Lakers’ roster.

The Lakers’ choice to draft Knecht addresses a number of crew wants, significantly in perimeter scoring and spot-up capturing. His versatility and scoring capacity are anticipated to enhance LeBron James and Anthony Davis, offering the Lakers with a much-needed offensive weapon. Knecht’s sport attracts comparisons to notable NBA gamers akin to Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jerami Grant, and Terrence Ross, reflecting his potential to make a major influence.

As the most recent member of the Lakers, Dalton Knecht carries the hopes of a franchise wanting to return to championship rivalry. His journey from ignored highschool participant to NBA first-round decide is a testomony to his expertise and perseverance. Lakers followers can stay up for seeing Knecht’s scoring prowess and defensive tenacity on full show on the Crypto.com Enviornment, as he embarks on this new chapter in his basketball profession.