It was always going to be a matter when, not if. From the moment the Los Angeles Lakers selected reigning SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht at No. 17 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, the clock was ticking for first-year head coach JJ Redick to make a landscape-altering decision.
An early rush of injuries have expedited the timeline and thus answered the question of when: Now. As in: Now is the time for Redick to make Knecht a full-time starter.
Knecht has been one of the most intriguing players on the Lakers throughout the early stages of the 2024-25 regular season. Whenever significant playing time has come his way, he's been fearless in his approach and steadily improved in his production.
Over the past four games, Knecht has put all concerns about how he can adjust to an elevated workload to rest with the best stretch that any rookie has put together in 2024-25.
Knecht began his recent string of success by scoring a then career-high 19 points against the Memphis Grizzlies. Heads were turned when he stepped up for a second consecutive game, posting 14 points in 26 minutes at the San Antonio Spurs.
It was the beginning of the end for the concerns about how Knecht fit within the rotation, and the official commencement of what should be a transition to full-time starting duties.
It's undeniable that Dalton Knecht should become a full-time Lakers starter
Knecht shattered his previous career-high just three days after he'd set it. He posted 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, shooting 10-of-17 from the field and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc in a 104-99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Three days later, Knecht obliterated his career-high once again by going off to the tune of 37 points and five rebounds on 12-of-16 shooting from the field and a 9-of-12 mark from three-point range.
It was a stunning display of efficiency and volume from a player who franchise player Anthony Davis has criticized for not shooting enough. Knecht has responded by letting it fly, putting together a string of performances that have vaulted him into the lead position in the race for Rookie of the Year.
The primary reason Knecht should be a starter, however, is the simple fact that his shot coming back down to a sustainable level would do nothing to limit the value he provides.
Knecht has proven early in 2024-25 that he's a threat to get hot and take over from beyond the arc. That makes him an invaluable member of the rotation, as opposing defenses must now ensure that he constantly has a defender near him at any point in time.
That immediately improves the Lakers' spacing, which should make the game easier for the trio of Davis, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
The question moving forward will be which of the injured forwards the Lakers should slot back into the starting lineup once they return. Rui Hachimura provides two-way value as a 3-and-D wing, while Jarred Vanderbilt is an arguably elite wing defender who thrives on the offensive glass.
Regardless of who Redick puts back into the starting lineup, the undeniable takeaway is that Knecht must be starting alongside them.