The Los Angeles Lakers have spent a vast majority of the 2024-25 season searching for reliable production off the bench. Players have experienced intriguing spikes in quality, but consistency has been elusive throughout.
Thankfully, Dalton Knecht has made the most of an unexpected opportunity to remind Los Angeles that they have a sixth man worth investing time in.
The Lakers hosted the New York Knicks on Mar. 7 in a rematch of the game that preceded the mind-blowing Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic trade. Luka Doncic and LeBron James inevitably took center stage, combining for 63 points, 20 assists, 19 rebounds, four steals, and a block.
The second unit stepped up in its own way, however, with both Knecht and Gabe Vincent producing double-figure scoring nights.
For Knecht, it was the latest in what's become a steady stream of impressive showings. He tallied 11 points in 21 minutes, adding four rebounds and an offensive board while shooting 4-of-8 from the field and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc.
It was another statement from Knecht that the Lakers' resolution to their second-unit woes is to simply get the ball to him as much as possible.
Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht continues strong stretch of games
Los Angeles currently ranks No. 28 in bench points—both per game and per 100 possessions. It's also No. 27 in three-point field goals made by reserves, which further exemplifies the issue that the Lakers have encountered this season.
The Lakers' second unit ranks No. 4 in the NBA in defensive rating, but it can't seem to buy a bucket on the other end of the floor.
Thankfully, Knecht has the skill level and mentality to enter games and change the bench's identity. He's No. 1 amongst qualified Lakers in three-point field goals made per 36 minutes and has stepped up with Rui Hachimura out of the lineup due to knee tendinopathy.
Since Hachimura went down on Feb. 27, Knecht has averaged 12.8 points and 3.0 three-point field goals made in just 22.5 minutes per contest across four games played.
During that time, Knecht has increased his tally to 24 total games with at least 10 points in an impressive rookie season. He scored as many as 19 points during the recent stretch and exceeded 10 in all but one outing—when he had eight in 18 minutes.
Considering the Lakers have scored 113 or fewer points in three of the four games without Hachimura, it's safe to say Knecht's production has proven invaluable.
Doncic and James will give the Lakers a chance to win every game they play. They're offensive juggernauts who have both taken steps forward on defense, as well. The second unit needs to alleviate some of the pressure, however, and Knecht is taking that burden upon himself.
It'll always be a work in progress with a first-year player, but Knecht continues to step up when the Lakers seem to need him most.
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