Dalton Knecht Faces Early Struggles in California Classic
Dalton Knecht, a sharpshooting talent fresh off a stellar collegiate career at Tennessee, is finding the transition to the NBA summer league more challenging than anticipated. During the California Classic, the Lakers' new addition has encountered difficulty in locating his shooting rhythm. Knecht’s shooting woes have been glaring, as he managed just 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting during his 22 minutes on the floor in the Lakers' 92-68 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
The struggle wasn't isolated to just one game. The previous day, his efficiency was similarly low, where he finished 3-of-12 from the floor. Over these two summer league games, Knecht's shooting from distance has been particularly concerning, with a mere 2-of-15 rate on jump shots, translating to an accuracy of just 13.3%.
Despite these struggles, Knecht hasn’t been completely off the mark in all areas. He showed some capability to draw fouls, getting to the free-throw line 14 times across the two games. Additionally, he managed to convert 4-of-8 shots at the rim, displaying moments of aggressive play. Still, for a player who was a consensus top-10 pick before sliding out of the lottery, these numbers are far from the expectations placed upon him.
In college, Knecht was a prolific scorer, averaging 21.7 points per game in his final season at Tennessee. Known for his precise shooting, he hit 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, as per Synergy Sports. This stark contrast in his current form has left many observing fans and analysts scratching their heads.
Yet, there remains an undercurrent of optimism surrounding Knecht’s potential. Lakers’ summer league coach, Dane Johnson, has shown patience and confidence in Knecht’s abilities: "Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come. He's a great player, so I'm not worried about him missing some of the shots he's taking. He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it," Johnson remarked, emphasizing the potential he sees in the young player.
For his part, Knecht seems to be keeping a level head amid his early challenges. Reflecting on his performance and mindset, he said, "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting. … Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot." This mental approach underscores a resilient attitude, critical for a player looking to establish himself in the league.
The Lakers have one more game left in the California Classic, a matchup against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This game represents another opportunity for Knecht to settle into his role and demonstrate the skills that made him a standout in college. All eyes will be on his performance, and whether he can start to translate his college success to the professional stage.
In the world of professional sports, early struggles can sometimes mask underlying talent. Knecht’s history suggests he has the potential to be a significant contributor; it's now a matter of when, not if, he finds his stride. Until then, the Lakers’ coaching staff and fans will hope that his next shot, as his father always advised, is indeed the one that goes in.