The Los Angeles Lakers appear to have struck gold with the No. 17 overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. Despite the unpredictability of his role, rookie swingman Dalton Knecht has been a revelation on a team that's otherwise struggled to find depth in the scoring department.
There have been inevitable ebbs and flows, but the 23-year-old appears to be learning the value of stepping up when your number is called earlier than most come to understand it.
Knecht has appeared in every one of the Lakers' games thus far in 2024-25. He's excelled during his appearances, posting averages of 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.6 three-point field goals made on .459/.352/.808 shooting.
Knecht's season averages translate to 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.0 offensive board, 1.6 assists, and 2.7 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
He made his most disruptive waves in November, when he scored at least 14 points in seven out of nine games. That includes a 37-point eruption against the Utah Jazz, a 27-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans, and two other 20-point showings to close out the month.
Knecht would proceed to struggle once he was moved back to the second unit, eclipsing 10 points just five times in 20 games, but it's all seemingly coming together as of late.
Dalton Knecht is figuring out how to thrive as a Lakers reserve
Knecht has responded to the aforementioned slump by scoring upwards of 10 points in three of the Lakers' past four games. It should come as no surprise that Los Angeles is 3-1 during that time, as the rookie's offensive eruptions have helped to elevate an often silent second unit.
Knecht has scored 13 points in each of his past two appearances, both of which were played against quality opponents in the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors.
It's easy to write those showings off as inconsequential, as the Lakers' search for the ideal starting lineup has taken center stage. The second unit has been a glaring weakness throughout the 2024-25 regular season, however, primarily on the offensive end of the floor.
Los Angeles' bench players rank No. 29 in points per game and No. 28 in offensive rating, which has placed an unsustainable burden on the starters.
Thankfully, Knecht's recent scoring displays suggest that he could be the answer to the Lakers' bench woes. If he can consistently pick his spots and provide both spacing and the occasional isolation bucket, the second unit would experience an instant improvement on offense.
The onus would still fall on veterans such as Gabe Vincent and either Rui Hachimura or Dorian Finney-Smith to step up themselves, but Knecht's reemergence is a promising sign.
If the Lakers can get him more involved on offense, then Knecht's floor-spacing skills could create the space the other reserves need to operate. Moreover, it could be the key to unlocking the next level of the rookie's undeniable upside as an all-around scorer.
In the meantime, Knecht figuring out how to pick his spots and make an impact despite limited shot attempts is proof positive that he's the talent the Lakers were hoping he'd be.