Dalton Knecht’s Impact Shows He Deserves More Minutes

The Los Angeles Lakers may have found a rising star in Dalton Knecht, the former Tennessee Volunteers standout who dropped to No. 17 in the 2024 NBA Draft. Initially projected as a top-10 pick, Knecht’s fall allowed the Lakers to secure a player with impressive potential. Despite limited playing time, he’s demonstrated an ability to make the Lakers a better team on both ends of the court.

Impressive Stats in Limited Action

Knecht has played in the Lakers’ first 10 games, averaging 16.9 minutes per game with 6.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 three-pointers. Adjusting his stats to 36 minutes, he could average 13 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. While his current three-point shooting is 28.9%, excluding the games against the Grizzlies and 76ers, it improves to 38.5%—a promising sign for his shooting potential.

image_6737f996e29fd Dalton Knecht’s Impact Shows He Deserves More Minutes

A Game-Changer on Both Ends

On-Court Impact: The Lakers outscore opponents by 5.7 points per 100 possessions with Knecht on the court and are outscored by 5.0 points per 100 possessions without him—a 10.7-point swing that underscores his influence. This impact extends to both offense and defense.

Offensive Impact: The Lakers’ offensive rating jumps to 121.5 when Knecht is in the game, ranking second among Lakers who have played over 100 minutes. In contrast, when he’s off the court, the team’s offensive rating dips to 112.1.

Defensive Impact: Though not yet an elite defender, Knecht has a defensive rating of 115.8 on the court, compared to 117.1 when he’s off—a minor but crucial boost.

The Case for More Minutes

Knecht’s floor-spacing and shooting promise are assets the Lakers could leverage more consistently. His presence has a positive effect on the Lakers’ lineup, making him a strong candidate for increased playing time. Although he’ll face the usual rookie hurdles, more minutes could lead to improved confidence and potential Rookie of the Year consideration. With consistent development, Knecht could become a cornerstone of the Lakers’ future.