Dalton Knecht Searching for Rhythm During California Classic
The Los Angeles Lakers faced a tough game against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, falling 92-68 in the California Classic. One player who struggled to find his groove was Dalton Knecht. Despite a strong collegiate career that saw him average 21.7 points per game in his final season at Tennessee, Knecht has been unable to replicate that form in his early summer league outings.
The young guard managed to score 12 points on Sunday, but it wasn’t without difficulty. His shooting was noticeably off, hitting only 3-of-13 attempts in his 22 minutes of play. This came on the heels of another challenging performance against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, where he finished just 3-of-12 from the floor. Through his first two summer league games, Knecht's jumper has been erratic at best, converting only 2-of-15 attempts, translating to a dismal 13.3% accuracy.
While Knecht has struggled to find the basket consistently, he has been aggressive in getting to the free-throw line, making 14 trips across the two games. Additionally, he managed to convert half of his shots at the rim, going 4-of-8. These flashes of assertiveness are promising signs, even if his shooting touch remains elusive.
Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson expressed confidence in Knecht's ability to turn things around, noting, "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."
Knecht, who was a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft before sliding out of the lottery, remains optimistic about his ability to find his stroke. Reflecting on his performance, he shared, "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."
Indeed, Knecht's college stats support his confidence. At Tennessee, he hit an impressive 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, showcasing his capability as a dead-eye shooter. However, transitioning that success to the NBA stage is no small feat, especially in the rigorous and competitive environment of the summer league.
The Lakers have one more game left in the California Classic, facing off against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This final opportunity will be crucial for Knecht to shed his shooting woes and demonstrate the potential that had many projecting him as a lottery pick. The summer league serves as a platform for young players to make their mark and earn a spot in the main roster, and for Knecht, it’s a chance to show that his shooting slump is just a temporary phase.
As the summer league progresses, all eyes will be on Knecht to see if he can rediscover the form that made him a standout at Tennessee. His dedication to improvement and positive mindset, coupled with the support of his coaching staff, suggest that he has the tools and mental fortitude to navigate this challenging period.
The journey from college to the NBA is fraught with ups and downs, and while Dalton Knecht's performance so far has been a rollercoaster, his story is far from written. As he continues to acclimate to the pace and physicality of professional basketball, there's hope that he will soon live up to the lofty expectations set for him.