The Los Angeles Lakers hired JJ Redick to modernize the way they operate. It's an admittedly generalized statement, but Redick was viewed by those within the organization as an individual who understands the trajectory of the NBA and how to succeed along that path.
It's still early, but a 10-4 start has many around the Association buying into the belief that Redick can live up to the lofty expectations the Lakers have burdened him with.
One of the primary reasons critics have become supporters is the manner in which Redick has utilized rookie Dalton Knecht. Knecht has been the talk of the town in recent weeks, due in no small part to the explosive scoring exploits that have him firmly in Rookie of the Year conversations.
According to Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation, Redick explained that Knecht's fearless approach to shooting isn't only improving his stock around the NBA, but energizing his teammates.
“I’m not concerned at all with Dalton in terms of meeting the moment. He’s fearless. He’s fearless,” Redick said after the win. “And in terms of what that does for the energy of the group and the energy of the arena, I think, not just tonight, but whether it was the Memphis game or the start of the fourth when we beat Sacramento here, like his shot-making gets us going, it’s a real weapon for our group, beyond just the score. It’s a weapon that energizes us.”
Knecht will encounter the struggles that all rookies inevitably face, but even in his first NBA season, he's providing the Lakers with something they lacked in 2023-24.
Lakers finally have a high-volume wing shooter in Dalton Knecht
The 2023-24 season was frustrating on multiple levels, with few as profound as how the Lakers mishandled their approach to three-point shooting. The purple and gold ranked No. 8 in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage, which implied elite proficiency.
Unfortunately, they checked in at No. 28 in three-point field goal attempts—thus turning what should've been an invaluable strength into a borderline flaw.
D'Angelo Russell set the franchise record for three-point field goals made and LeBron James posted a career-best mark in three-point field goal percentage. Rui Hachimura buried a team-high 42.2 percent of his attempts from distance, while Taurean Prine shot 39.6 percent himself.
By those measures, the Lakers admittedly excelled from beyond the arc—with the unfortunate exception of volume, specifically along the wings.
James buried 2.1 attempts per game, but his role as a ball-dominant shot-creator and playmaker limited his off-ball availability. Hachimura and Prince, meanwhile, combined to knock down 3.2 threes per game—thus revealing the most significant flaw in the system.
The Lakers lacked wings who could work without the ball to get themselves open and shoot whenever the opportunity arose—a flaw Redick has corrected with his use of Knecht.
Knecht is currently converting 2.3 three-point field goals per game, which would've ranked No. 1 among Lakers wings in 2023-24. He's been fearless in his approach to spacing the floor, with credit owed to his teammates for encouraging and empowering him to shoot.
As a result, the Lakers' spacing has improved and the bursts of energy they struggled to find in 2023-24 have been far easier to come by.
It must, of course, be reiterated that Knecht is a rookie who will experience the ebbs and flows of a debut NBA season. The fact that he's willing to shoot whether his attempts are falling or not, however, has given the Lakers a new level of confidence on offense.
Knowing exactly where your sharpshooter is going to be and trusting them to bury a shot when nothing else is falling is a luxury Los Angeles can finally enjoy.