Lakers' Dalton Knecht strengthens Rookie of the Year odds with latest update

Entering the 2024 NBA Draft, few expected the Los Angeles Lakers to have a chance at selecting Dalton Knecht. Knecht was coming off of a prolific 2023-24 season with the Tennessee Volunteers and was heralded as a potential top-10 pick with an outside chance at cracking the top five.

Instead, Knecht slid to No. 17 overall and the Lakers landed a player who has been commonly regarded as the biggest steal of the 2024 NBA Draft.

Knecht is now preparing for a unique first season in the NBA. Previously projected to join a franchise that was short on established talent, he's now going to have a chance to play alongside and learn from two surefire Hall of Famers coming off of All-NBA seasons: Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

During a recent appearance on Spectrum News' Lakeshow podcast, Lakers analyst Mike Bresnahan reported that Knecht has been adding muscle to his frame to prepare for his first season.

“I did hear that [Dalton] Knecht has been putting on some muscle. So he’s definitely getting bigger. I thought he was already pretty good around the rim for a guard, but now he’s going to be bigger and better than what we saw the last of him several months ago when he was still a college kid.”

Considering Knecht is already the physical prototype for an NBA shooting guard, this is a captivating development to monitor.

Dalton Knecht is putting in the work to compete for Rookie of the Year

Knecht checked in at 6'5.25" without shoes and 212.2 points with a 6'9" wingspan at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine. Those are beyond ideal measurements for a shooting guard, as well as marks that should enable him to thrive as a small forward.

Beyond his measurements, Knecht showcased his high-level athleticism by ranking among the top players in his class in virtually every strength and agility drill.

Knecht ranked No. 1 in the shuttle run, which measures speed, agility, and a player's cardio. He checked in at No. 2 in the lane agility drill, which attempts to measure a player's body control and quickness when changing directions.

Knecht then ranked No. 12 in the three-quarter sprint, which measures end-to-end speed, and produced a 39.0" max vertical leap.

Beyond his physical abilities, Knecht possesses a skill set that seems tailor made for the modern era. He's one of the best three-point shooters in his draft class, possessing the ability to work without the ball and pull up from deep ranges with perfect form and a high release point.

Knecht is also a three-level scorer who welcomes physicality on the drive and can use his creativity to beat opponents off the bounce and finish at or above the rim.

By adding muscle to his frame, Knecht is clearly aware of how much more demanding the NBA game will be. It's an approach that should help him score, as well as improve his output on the defensive end of the floor as teams inevitably test him.

Considering he's coming off of a 2023-24 season in which he averaged 21.7 points and 2.6 three-point field goals made on 39.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc, won SEC Player of the Year, and led Tennessee to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2010, any form of improvement would be noteworthy.

If Knecht continues to turn constructive criticism into sustained improvement, then the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year award won't be as farfetched a goal as his draft position might suggest.