The Los Angeles Lakers are embracing a shift in front office and sideline philosophy during the 2024 NBA offseason. With the hiring of head coach JJ Redick, Los Angeles has accepted the need to build a sustainable core around and beyond its franchise players.
One of the manners in which it's begun to accomplish this goal is by selecting Dalton Knecht at No. 17 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Knecht was widely expected to be a lottery pick, if not a top-10 selection with a puncher's chance at the top five. He's a prototypical wing for the modern era, with an excellent outside shot and an ideal combination of size, length, and athleticism for either the 2 or the 3.
In a pre-draft interview with HoopsHype, Knecht revealed who he feels his game is most similar to in the NBA: Phoenix Suns star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Devin Booker.
"I’d say I play a similar game to – not at his star level – Devin Booker. Throughout college, I think I played like him. I don’t know, just not as good as him."
Knecht was humble in stating that he isn't at the same level as Booker as an individual player, but even a stylistic similarity offers reason for intrigue.
Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht sees Devin Booker as his NBA comparison
Knecht would certainly have a leg to stand on if he were to be ambitious enough to believe his upside could be of an All-Star caliber. He's the reigning SEC Player of the Year, as well as one of the most prolific scorers in modern college basketball history.
This past season, Knecht ranked No. 8. in the country and No. 1 in the SEC in points per game, and produced eight different games with at least 30 points and 13 with 25 or more.
Furthermore, Knecht led the Tennessee Volunteers to their first Elite Eight appearance since 2010. He posted 26 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block during the 82-75 win over the Creighton Bluejays in the Sweet 16.
Knecht then dropped 37 points during the Volunteers' 72-66 loss to the Purdue Boilermakers in the Elite Eight—meaning he scored 56.1 percent of his team's total points on that massive stage.
True as that may be, it's much easier said than done to translate college basketball brilliance to the next level. Booker has gone on to become a two-time All-NBA honoree, a four-time All-Star, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, as well as an NBA Finalist.
Even if Knecht fails to reach that level of stardom, there are similarities between how the two approach the game and get the job done on the court.
Booker is 6'4.5" without shoes and 206 pounds with a 6'8.25" wingspan, while Knecht measured at 6'5.25" without shoes and 212 pounds with a 6'9" wingspan at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine. They're also two tremendous shooters with range and a fearlessness that enables them to apply constant pressure to opposing defenses.
Underrated athletes whose quickness and finishing around the rim adds an additional layer to their three-level scoring arsenals, the ambitious stylistic comparison is grounded in reality.
If Knecht can become anywhere near the player that Booker has developed into, he'll go down as the biggest steal of the 2024 NBA Draft.