3 Player comparisons for Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Dalton Knecht

High-End Upside Comparison: Bojan Bogdanovic

Dalton Knecht has the physical attributes and three-point range to make an impact on a nightly basis. As mentioned, the dream scenario would be for the reigning SEC Player of the Year to become a true two-way player, but even a high-end comparison needs to be grounded in what we currently know.

Perhaps the best-case scenario for Knecht based on his current trajectory is one of the better shooters and scorers in the NBA: Bojan Bogdanovic.

Bogdanovic, who debuted in the NBA at 25 after being drafted at 22, has been a productive and efficient scorer at every stop. He boasts career averages of 15.6 points and 2.1 three-point field goals made per game on .460/.394/.859 shooting.

Those numbers have climbed to 18.3 points and 2.5 three-point field goals made per game on an absurdly efficient slash line of .464/.403/.858 over the past six seasons.

This is an ambitious projection for Knecht, but that doesn't make it less meaningful to discuss. He showed the ability to not only work without the ball and shoot the lights out, but create offense and even get to the free throw line, a la Bogdanovic. He's a shot creator as much as he's a shooter.

Knecht's scoring instincts, quickness, and shooting range make Bogdanovic a player who he can ambitiously aspire to emulate at the next level.

The Los Angeles Lakers have the ideal head coach to help him do so.