Cliché as it may sound, Los Angeles Lakers sharpshooter Dalton Knecht has officially completed a rookie season defined by highs and lows. He made his mark as a scorer, posting as many as 37 points in a single game, and found himself on the outside looking in of JJ Redick's rotation due to his defensive woes.
With the first offseason of Knecht's NBA career officially underway, he's going back to where his rise to prominence occurred as he evaluates his next steps.
Knecht rose to prominence in NBA Draft circles in 2023-24 by starring for the Tennessee Volunteers. He won SEC Player of the Year and set the landscape ablaze with his combination of three-point shooting, shot creation, and prototypical size and athleticism.
Faced with questions about how he'll fit with the Lakers long-term, Knecht has returned to the University of Tennessee to work on his craft.
a visitor from the west@DaltonKnecht3 pic.twitter.com/IfCQBv0FRm
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) May 7, 2025
Faced with adversity, returning to the place he used to call home may be the reset required for Knecht to take the next step in his NBA career.
Dalton Knecht returns to Tennessee to begin offseason training
Knecht was nothing short of marvelous during the peaks of his rookie season. His 37-point eruption against the Utah Jazz was one of his seven 20-point games, and he added a second 30-point showing when he dropped 32 against the Denver Nuggets.
Knecht ultimately finished his rookie season averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 three-point field goals made in 19.2 minutes per game, shooting at a clip of .461/.376/.762.
It was an efficient first season from Knecht, who posted the second-best eFG% among qualified rookies. It's also worth noting that his averages translated to 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.1 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Knecht ranked No. 9 among qualified rookies in points per game, 4 in points per 36 minutes, and No. 1 in three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Unfortunately, Knecht's rookie season was marred by lackluster team and individual defense. Los Angeles allowed 3.5 fewer points per 100 possessions when he wasn't on the court, and opponents shot 3.0 percent higher than average when he was the primary defender.
That level of defensive inconsistency played a direct role in Knecht struggling to secure a consistent role within Redick's rotation.
Already back in the gym, there's reason to believe Knecht will take a colossal step forward during his second season. He's already one of the best scorers and shooters in his class, and he made respectable strides on defense toward the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
The Lakers have several key decisions to make this summer, but if Knecht takes the next step, his future will be as dependable as any.