The Los Angeles Lakers are about to embark on one of the most challenging stretches of the 2024-25 season. Over the next two weeks, they'll face the likes of the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Knicks
Unfortunately, Los Angeles could be forced to play those games without the red-hot Rui Hachimura—a possibility that would leave a considerable void in the rotation.
The Lakers have been the best team in the NBA for well over a month. Since Jan. 15, Los Angeles has accumulated the best record in the Association at 16-4 while ranking No. 1 in defensive rating, No. 3 in net rating, and No. 9 in offensive rating.
Hachimura had been instrumental to that success with his average of 17.9 points per game between Jan. 30 and Feb. 25.
With Hachimura out of the lineup, however, the Lakers will be forced to play without one of their best scorers and floor-spacing threats. Dorian Finney-Smith will be tasked with stepping up on defense, but a void will remain on offense.
If there's a silver lining to be found, it's the fact that Dalton Knecht is the perfect candidate to step up and fill the void that Hachimura has left behind.
Dalton Knecht is Lakers' perfect option to step in for Rui Hachimura
Knecht may lack the defensive consistency that Hachimura has shown, but his ability to put up points in a hurry could prove invaluable. He's one of the best shooters on the team and has already established himself as a threat for a monumental heat check.
Season averages of 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes only scratch the surface of what Knecht can do.
Knecht has recorded at least 20 points on five different occasions during his rookie season. That includes the career-high 37 he scored in November and the 24 that he produced as recently as Jan. 28.
It's also worth noting that, in the eight outings during which Knecht has played at least 30 minutes, he's averaged 20.5 points per game.
Knecht is also averaging 14.3 points per game as a starter and 13.6 points per contest on 50.6 percent shooting from the field when he plays at least 20 minutes. In other words: The rookie has already figured out how to put up starting-caliber numbers when meaningful minutes are given to him.
For a Lakers team that needs a wing who can space the floor and score at a level comparable to what Hachimura had been producing, Knecht certainly seems to check some crucial boxes.
Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt will likely be featured due to their defensive capabilities. As the Lakers search for players who can complement Luka Doncic, however, it's difficult to overlook a player who, as a rookie, is already giving opposing defenses fits.
It may not be as simple as giving Hachimura's minutes to Knecht, but if the goal is to replicate some degree of his offensive value, the rookie is the answer.