When the Los Angeles Lakers selected Dalton Knecht at No. 17 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, most agreed that it was a smart pick. Knecht was a projected top-10 selection who seemingly fell into the Lakers' laps and gave them the up-and-coming wing scorer they desperately needed.
Fast forward to 2026, however, and Cleveland Cavaliers swingman Jaylon Tyson is showing the Lakers exactly what they should've done at the 2024 NBA Draft.
Tyson had local ties to the Lakers after thriving as the star player for the California Golden Bears during his final collegiate season. Unfortunately, Los Angeles passed on him and allowed the Cavaliers to land a new rotational cornerstone just three picks later at No. 20.
In just his second season, Tyson has become one of the most important contributors to a 37-23 Cleveland team that has a better record than the 34-23 Lakers.
Much has changed in Los Angeles since Knecht was selected, of course, with the most noteworthy alteration being that Anthony Davis was replaced by Luka Doncic. Knecht has thus become an imperfect rotational fit whose minutes have been slashed and whose playing style is no longer an ideal fit.
What the Lakers could've had in Tyson, however, is a player who would've given them exactly what they needed—with Davis and Doncic alike.
Lakers could've drafted Jaylon Tyson, but overlooked the California star
Tyson is currently averaging 13.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 offensive boards, 2.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.0 three-point field goals made in 27.4 minutes per game. He's doing so while shooting at an obscene clip of .503/.456/.772.
Though Lakers wing Luke Kennard leads the NBA in three-point field goal percentage, Tyson ranks No. 1 amongst qualified players who are converting at least 2.0 threes per game.
By comparison, the Lakers rank No. 19 in three-point field goal percentage and No. 23 in three-point field goals made per game. That alone strikes a nerve, as Los Angeles could've been vastly superior in both areas had it selected Tyson on the night of the 2024 NBA Draft.
What makes it even more difficult to stomach is that Tyson has achieved his success on a team with four All-Stars, thus suggesting he could've done the same on a top-heavy Lakers team.
Lakers passed on Jaylon Tyson for Dalton Knecht at 2024 NBA Draft
The icing on the proverbial cake in regard to the regret of passing over Tyson is that he offers what no Lakers volume three-point shooter currently does: Two-way value. In fact, a case can be made that Tyson is turning in an All-Defense level season.
According to Basketball Index, Tyson ranks in the 91st percentile in in perimeter isolation defense, the 92nd percentile in ball screen navigation, and the 98th percentile in off-ball chaser defense.
That's a tough pill to swallow for a Lakers team that's currently No. 23 in points allowed per isolation possession and No. 24 in defensive rating. It's even more difficult to accept when one considers that Knecht's playing time has been limited due to his defensive inconsistency.
Every team misses draft picks from time to time, but one can't help but acknowledge that a California prospect slipped through the Lakers' fingers and is now everything they need their wings to be.