The Los Angeles Lakers may have gotten an absolute steal in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft when they took University of Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 pick.
He was projected by many to be a lottery pick, but he fell to No. 17, possibly because he’s 23 years of age and needs improvement on the defensive end. However, he is dynamite on offense, as he’s a dead-eye 3-point shooter, not just in terms of standstill 3s but especially when it comes to treys off of movement and screens.
Knecht is also a good overall scorer. He averaged 21.7 points a game this season, and in 36 contests, he reached the 35-point mark six times. Against Purdue University in the Elite Eight contest of this year’s NCAA tournament, he went for 37 points and connected on six of his 12 3-point attempts.
LeBron James said he watched that contest because of Knecht, as well as behemoth center Zach Edey, who went at No. 9 to the Memphis Grizzlies.
LeBron James said that he watched Tennessee play in the Elite Eight because of Dalton Knecht.
“We watched that Purdue-Tennessee game because of Zach Edey and Knecht.”
Video: @mcten pic.twitter.com/HTKnOJRqsX
— Tanner Johnson (@JohnsonTanner23) April 4, 2024
It’s always a good sign when an incoming rookie gets some sort of seal of approval from his team’s superstar player.