In an offseason defined by inactivity, the Los Angeles Lakers managed to build for the future. Free agency was spent retaining talent rather than adding new pieces, but the 2024 NBA Draft proved invaluable to the cause of building for the future.
Following the Lakers' trade for former Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith, the path toward developing a potential franchise cornerstone has become clear.
Los Angeles selected Dalton Knecht at No. 17 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. There have been early flashes of brilliance from the former Tennessee Volunteers star, but playing time has been unpredictable due to the structure of the rotation.
Knecht looked the part of an explosive scoring threat, scoring as many as 37 points in a single game, but the Lakers' defensive flaws required head coach JJ Redick to prioritize a different type of player in the starting lineup.
Knecht has continued to impress as a reserve, but limited minutes and shot attempts have inevitably resulted in inconsistency. It remains clear that he has the talent to start and thrive in a relatively featured capacity, but the Lakers need wing defenders to complement a starting lineup that, outside of Anthony Davis, fails to prioritize defense.
With Finney-Smith arriving to address that defensive flaw, the floor should open up for Knecht to find consistent minutes in his shooting and shot-creating role.
Lakers enabled Dalton Knecht to thrive alongside Dorian Finney-Smith
Knecht has played well in 2024-25, averaging 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.7 three-point field goals made in 22.7 minutes per game. He's scored upwards of 20 points in four different games, and has posted at least 17 points in eight outings.
That includes recent results, as Knecht tallied 13 points at the Golden State Warriors and 18 against the Sacramento Kings.
The unfortunate reality of Knecht's season, however, is that his personal success in the starting lineup hasn't been enough to secure consistent playing time. Davis is a defensive stalwart, and Rui Hachimura has improved, but LeBron James and Austin Reaves have been generally unreliable on defense this season.
That's the primary reason Los Angeles traded for Finney-Smith and moved Max Christie into the starting lineup, as internal improvement among the starters doesn't seem to be an option.
With this in mind, Knecht has gone from scoring 20 points in 30-plus minutes in each of his final two games of November to eclipsing the 30-minute plateau just twice in all of December. It's not necessarily due to his lack of defensive upside, but more so the inconsistency of the veterans around him.
With Finney-Smith introduced to the rotation, however, Knecht will have a defensive wing to play off of and should thus secure more consistent playing time.
Finney-Smith and Knecht can operate as floor-spacers, with the former taking on the tough defensive assignments the rookie isn't ready for. Furthermore, Knecht now has a veteran teammate from whom he can learn the nuances of consistently strong defensive play.
There may be an early struggle for minutes, but in the long run, Knecht should find his place alongside Finney-Smith as a formidable perimeter duo.