JJ Redick advice indicates role Dalton Knecht will play for Lakers in 2024-25

The Los Angeles Lakers are operating in a manner inconsistent with the general tone of the Rob Pelinka era. Rather than going all-in on the big names, Pelinka has prioritized player development and growth from within the organization.

It's a strategy that the top contenders have all but unanimously embraced, and head coach JJ Redick is playing a significant role in helping Los Angeles catch up.

One of the most prominent players in that push for internal growth is rookie swingman Dalton Knecht. The reigning SEC Player of the Year unexpectedly fell to the Lakers at No. 17 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft and has provided encouraging early returns on the investment.

After his most recent Summer League performance, a 20-point game in a 93-89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Knecht noted that Redick has already played a hand in helping him work on his game.

For those who can't access the video, Knecht had the following to say:

"JJ Redick has been a big help, a big help to all those guys...mainly off the ball, and just getting to my spots and knocking them down."

It's a short quote, but the fact that Redick has already connected with the players he had a hand in drafting or adding to the Summer League roster is a promising sign.

It's also a potential indicator of the type of off-ball role Knecht could be tasked with as a rookie.

JJ Redick advised Dalton Knecht to work on off-ball movement

Knecht was a projected top-10 pick, but fell to the Lakers due to concerns about his age as a 23-year-old incoming rookie. Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka were happy to prove the skeptics wrong by bringing the former Tennessee Volunteers star to Los Angeles.

Knecht has already offered reason for intrigue, averaging 21.3 points per game at the Las Vegas Summer League and tallying 20 points and nine rebounds in the California Classic finale.

It's been par for the course for Knecht, who ranked No. 1 in the SEC and No. 8 in the country in scoring in 2023-24. He dropped 40 points against the 23-10 Kentucky Wildcats and had six games with at least 36 points on the season.

In the process, he led the Volunteers to a 27-9 record and the team's first Elite Eight appearance since 2010—a game during which he scored 37 points.

Overlooked due to a flawed logic about limited upside, Knecht is one of the most complete scorers in his class. He's prototypical at 6'5" and 212 pounds with a 6'9" wingspan, and he utilizes his strength, length, and quickness to score at all three levels.

In addition to having a high release point on his potentially elite jumper, he thrives at getting to the basket, where he can finish under or above the rim.

Knecht also has a strong in-between game, as well as the ability to work without the ball to get open for easier shots. The latter is what Redick seems to be focusing on, which could indicate what type of role the rookie will be playing in 2024-25.

With a consistent place in the rotation as an off-ball specialist, Knecht should have opportunities to progressively adjust to the pace of the NBA game. That approach should help him grow more comfortably into the well-rounded scoring threat he has the tools to be.

Redick seems to be playing the long game here, but perhaps that's what the Lakers need after so many failed attempts at instant gratification.