The Los Angeles Lakers were forced to use Dalton Knecht early in the first quarter on Saturday night against the Clippers, and announcer Stu Lantz was quick to point out that the 2024 first-round draft pick’s struggles are mostly mental. The 24-year-old has certainly not been living up to his potential.
Knecht was averaging 6.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 14.6 minutes per game coming into the contest against the LA Clippers. He rated as a replacement level by VORP and well below league average by win shares per 48 minutes. Not what the Lakers hoped for after drafting an older rookie. Knecht’s defensive issues are well-documented, so Knecht needs to be a lights-out scorer to stay on the floor.
Lantz was every Lakers fan after Knecht shot an airball in the opening quarter. Fans know Knecht is a skilled scorer, but the struggles appear to be in his head at this point.
Stu Lantz gave his take on Dalton Knecht’s struggles
After a Knecht air ball with 3:45 remaining in the first period, former NBA player and longtime Lakers commentator Stu Lantz said the following.
“You can’t convince me otherwise. I think most of this is all in Dalton’s head. He’s just not mentally thinking about being the player that everybody knows that he is.”
Knecht had actually made five of his last ten 3-pointers before Saturday night to get up to 35.6 percent from long range on the season. The Lakers can’t afford for him to be around league average when he struggles defensively. They need him to be a sharpshooter.
Fans hoped his 30-point game in the G League would be the spark he needed, but Knecht has not recovered from being traded last season. The Lakers sent him to Charlotte in the Mark Williams deal that was rescinded when the big man failed his physical in Los Angeles.
This draft pick looks like a bust for the Lakers. The 24-year-old should be entering his prime, but he isn’t even part of the nightly rotation. Knecht only got a shot on Saturday night because Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, and Gabe Vincent were out with injuries. The Lakers needed Knecht, but the airball was just the start of his woes.
The second-year wing had two points and two rebounds in seven first-half minutes. He missed his only two field goal attempts in his first stint before getting an easy bucket just before halftime. The Lakers were struggling offensively. They needed a bucket like Knecht to spark them, but it just didn’t happen.
Stu Lantz was right. Dalton Knecht’s struggles are mostly in his head. He didn’t forget how to shoot or score. The 6’6 wing just hasn’t gotten over being traded by the Lakers. Los Angeles needs him right now, but he isn’t delivering. Hopefully, that will change. If not, Knecht may be traded again before the Feb. 5 deadline.
The Los Angeles Lakers know Dalton Knecht is an absolute bucket-getter. They must unlock that option. It may take an extended stretch in the G League. Something must change. It is on the Lakers to figure out what will do the trick.