Thu Nov 14 04:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Lakers’ Draft Steal Knecht Shows Promise Despite Limited Minutes
**LOS ANGELES -** The Los Angeles Lakers may have struck gold with their 2024 NBA Draft selection, Dalton Knecht. Despite being drafted at pick 17, Knecht, a former Tennessee Volunteers star, has shown impressive flashes of potential in limited playing time during his rookie season.
Knecht has appeared in all 10 Lakers games, averaging 16.9 minutes per game and contributing 6.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 three-pointers. This translates to an impressive 13.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 threes per 36 minutes. While his three-point shooting percentage is currently at 28.9%, removing the Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers games reveals a more promising 38.5% shooting percentage, indicating a potential for improvement.
The impact of Knecht’s presence on the court goes beyond individual statistics. The Lakers have a 5.7 points per 100 possessions scoring advantage when Knecht is on the court, compared to being outscored by 5.0 points per 100 possessions when he’s not. This remarkable 10.7 point swing highlights Knecht’s influence on both ends of the floor.
With a 9.4-point swing in offensive rating when Knecht is in the game, the Lakers’ offense thrives with his ability to space the floor and create opportunities for teammates. However, perhaps even more surprisingly, the team’s defensive rating improves with Knecht on the court as well, suggesting he’s not a liability on that end.
While it’s still early to make definitive statements, Knecht’s early impact has already earned him attention as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate and a cornerstone piece for the Lakers’ future. The team is now poised to give him a more prominent role in the coming games to allow him to continue developing and showcasing his dynamic scoring potential. If Knecht continues on his current trajectory, the Lakers may have unearthed a true gem in the 2024 draft.
First Piper 