Dalton Knecht Finds Struggles Amid Lakers' Summer League Campaign
In the season's highly anticipated start, Dalton Knecht has found himself struggling to find his rhythm during the California Classic, representing a stark contrast to his stellar collegiate career at Tennessee. The Lakers, who suffered a disappointing 92-68 defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, are now witnessing their top prospect striving to regain his form.
Knecht, who was once a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft before slipping out of the lottery on draft night, managed to score 12 points against the Warriors. However, his shooting efficiency raised concerns; he connected on just 3-of-13 attempts during his 22 minutes of play. This performance followed a similar struggle on Saturday, where Knecht finished 3-of-12 from the floor.
The numbers through his first two summer league games paint a grim picture for Knecht. He's only 2-of-15 on jumpers, amounting to a mere 13.3% accuracy. Despite getting to the free-throw line 14 times across these games and converting 4-of-8 shots at the rim, Knecht's shooting woes are evident.
The drop in performance is a significant departure from his form at Tennessee, where he was a standout player. In his final collegiate season, Knecht averaged a robust 21.7 points per game and showcased his sharpshooting skills by hitting 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, as per Synergy Sports.
Yet, the Lakers' summer league coach, Dane Johnson, remains optimistic about Knecht's potential. "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, highlighting his faith in Knecht's abilities.
Knecht himself acknowledges the difficulty of finding his groove after several months off the court. "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," Knecht explained, reflecting a grounded yet determined mindset.
The Lakers have one final game left in the California Classic, set to face the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This offers Knecht another opportunity to showcase his skills and shake off the rust that has seemingly plagued his earlier performances. With a proven track record and a supportive coaching staff, the young prospect has the tools to turn his summer league campaign around.
While the summer league is a microcosm of the testing grounds for young talents and future NBA stars, Knecht's journey is a reminder of the steep transitional challenges players often face between collegiate success and professional aspirations. His performance in the upcoming game could be pivotal not just for the Lakers' immediate prospects, but for Knecht's own confidence and trajectory as he navigates the early stages of his professional career.
As the summer league progresses, all eyes will be on Knecht to see if he can rediscover the shooting stroke that made him a standout at Tennessee and a top prospect leading into the draft. His story thus far is a testament to the trials and tribulations inherent in the path from college basketball to the NBA, and the resilience required to overcome them.