The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t brought in any outside free agents or made any trades this offseason, at least not yet. But they could already have a new player on their roster who could help elevate them at least a little bit right now.
They had a potential diamond fall into their laps in last week’s draft in the form of University of Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht. Many expected Knecht, a 6-foot-5 sharpshooter who can also attack the basket, to go in the first 10 picks, but instead, the Lakers took him at No. 17.
On Tuesday, he reportedly signed his rookie contract, which will also allow him to participate in summer league play.
According to @KeithSmithNBA, the Lakers have officially signed Dalton Knecht. He will play in Summer League and cannot be traded for 30 days
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) July 2, 2024
Knecht, 23, averaged 21.7 points a game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range on 6.5 attempts a contest this past season. He recorded a 39-inch vertical leap at the draft combine, and he is generally considered one of the most, if not the most, NBA-ready prospects in this year’s draft class.