A stunning turn of events gave the Los Angeles Lakers an amazingly unexpected opportunity in the 2024 NBA draft on Wednesday night. Dalton Knecht, widely viewed as a top-10-quality draft pick, slid all the way to No. 17 in the first round. Pat Riley and the Miami Heat passed on him at No. 15. Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers passed on him at No. 16. The Lakers were able to scoop up Knecht at pick No. 17, a tremendous pick and a remarkable stroke of good fortune for Rob Pelinka, new coach J.J. Redick, and LeBron James. Now, the big question emerges: With the Lakers unexpectedly getting Knecht, a wing player who offers quality shooting, will the NBA franchise still take Bronny James if he is available at pick No. 55 in Thursday’s second round, as most people expect he will be?
Bronny James has become such a point of fascination in this NBA draft because all the details of his situation make him one of the most unusual and exceptional draft-day stories in recent NBA memory. We’ll find out soon enough if Dalton Knecht alters the calculus for the Lakers at the NBA draft.
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