Dalton Knecht's Rough Start at the California Classic
Dalton Knecht's much-anticipated summer league debut has not gone according to plan. The Lakers’ prospect has struggled to find his rhythm, with his shooting woes prominently on display during the California Classic. Against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers were handed a 92-68 defeat, and Knecht's performance has left much to be desired.
In the game on Sunday, Knecht managed to score just 12 points, making only 3 of his 13 shots during his 22 minutes on the court. This struggle follows a similar performance on Saturday when he finished just 3-of-12 from the floor. Over his first two summer league games, Knecht has connected on merely 2-of-15 jumpers, translating to a disappointing 13.3% success rate.
Knecht did show some aggressive play, getting to the free-throw line 14 times across the two games, and converted 4-of-8 shots at the rim. However, these efforts did little to turn the tide for the Lakers, who are looking for a spark in these early contests.
The shooting slump has come as a surprise to many, especially considering Knecht's impressive collegiate numbers. During his final season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game and had a notable 42.3% success rate on his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, according to Synergy Sports.
After being predicted as a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft, Knecht's slide out of the lottery on draft night added an element of intrigue to his professional journey. The Lakers and their fans had high hopes that Knecht could provide immediate impact, making his early struggles all the more concerning.
Despite these early setbacks, there's a collective sense of patience within the Lakers' camp. According to the Lakers’ summer league coach, Dane Johnson, there's no reason to panic. "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," Johnson stated. "He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it."
Knecht himself remains undeterred by the shaky start. Reflecting on his performance, he remarked, "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."
The hopeful narrative spun by Knecht and his coach highlights an important aspect of the game: resilience. It’s clear that, given time, there is belief that Knecht will find the shooting touch that made him a standout at Tennessee.
The Lakers have one more game left in the California Classic, set to face the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This presents another opportunity for Knecht to right the ship and contribute more effectively. Those watching will be eager to see if the promising player can start to find his groove and live up to the high expectations placed upon him.
For Dalton Knecht, the road ahead remains open, with ample time to adjust and demonstrate the talent that has brought him to the Lakers. As summer league games come and go, the true measure of a player's potential often lies not just in the immediate numbers, but in their ability to adapt, evolve, and rise to the challenge. Knecht's journey is just beginning, and both fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how his story unfolds.