5 Summer League players who are justifying Lakers investment in their upside

Dalton Knecht

The top performer for the Los Angeles Lakers at the 2024 Summer League has been exactly who the team hoped it would be. First-round draft pick Dalton Knecht has been tremendous, showcasing his three-level scoring ability and appearing to be a better defender than expected.

The Lakers may not be winning games, but Knecht is the last player to be held accountable for the absence of team success this summer.

Knecht struggled in the California Classic opener, shooting 3-of-12 from the field. He went just 3-of-13 in the following game. Since then, the court has been his domain, with the No. 17 overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft proving why he's the reigning SEC Player of the Year.

Knecht dropped 20 points and nine rebounds in the California Classic finale, getting to the rim, converting from midrange, and even spacing the floor along the way.

In Las Vegas, Knecht has taken his game to another level. He went off for 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, one block, and a steal while shooting 9-of-18 from the field and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc in the opener. Beyond the stats, he was unstoppable from every angle of the court.

With 19 points and three steals against the Boston Celtics, Knecht has sustained this level of play across three consecutive games while showing more defensive potential than previously expected.