The Dalton Knecht update Lakers fans have been waiting for has finally arrived

The Los Angeles Lakers have found a diamond in the rough in No. 17 overall selection Dalton Knecht. Despite the reputation that the 2024 NBA Draft received of being weak across the board, Knecht has emerged early in 2024-25 as a rising star with immense potential.

As the starting lineup has undergone changes to compensate for injuries and ultimately find the ideal combination, however, Knecht's emergence has been paused by uncertainty.

Knecht helped anchor the Lakers' recent six-game winning streak, taking over for the better part of four consecutive games. During that time, he averaged 24.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 three-point field goals made in 33.2 minutes per contest.

Unfortunately, Knecht's production has severely declined since he was moved back to the second unit to make room for the returning Rui Hachimura—a fact head coach JJ Redick is taking into consideration.

Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic:

There are reasons to believe Knecht can help elevate the second unit in time, but his ability to generate flurries of offense alongside the starters can't be overlooked.

Dalton Knecht could return to the Lakers' starting lineup

Knecht has appeared in all 17 of the Lakers' games this season, starting five along the way. He's averaging 11.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 2.2 three-point field goals made in just 22.8 minutes per game on .504/.440/.889 shooting.

Those figures translate to 17.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 3.4 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes—remarkable production from a first-year player.

The reason so many have been clamoring for Knecht to become a full-time starter is how those per-36 numbers have begun to translate to a per-game basis—specifically when he starts. In those five games, he's accumulated averages of 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 4.0 three-point field goals made.

Some of those numbers may come down a bit moving forward, but if they provide a general idea of his consistent range of production, the Lakers could be in for something special.

With Knecht on the court, the Lakers have a legitimately elite shooter who can play off of the playmaking and shot-creating trio of Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. That creates optimal spacing for them to get inside and finish in the paint—the bread and butter of all three.

Compounded by the efficiency of Rui Hachimura from beyond the arc, the Lakers could realistically run out one of the best starting lineups in the NBA.

For that matter, it's worth noting that the Lakers are outscoring opponents by 2.4 points per 100 possessions with Knecht on the court, and are being outscored by 8.2 when he isn't. His positive impact has been felt on both ends of the floor, with Los Angeles even allowing 1.0 fewer point per 100 possessions with him present.

There are questions that will need to be answered about who moves to the second unit and how the Lakers plan to close out games, but Knecht as a starter is a change most fans would be happy to see.