Preseason play has begun in the NBA, and the Los Angeles Lakers might have struck gold in rookie Dalton Knecht. Most people throughout the Volunteer State knew that when his name was called on draft night this Spring, but the Lakers are learning how good Knecht is and how great he could be in real-time.
The former Tennessee basketball superstar lit up the scoreboard throughout the NBA Summer League, playing like an NBA veteran at times. He kept up the scoring streak on Friday night in the Lakers’ preseason opener.
Knecht played 25 minutes off the bench and shot 7-for-13 from the field on his way to scoring 16 points. He tied Austin Reaves for the most points scored in the preseason opener, who only shot 2-for-9 but made 10-of-10 free throws.
Knecht with the smooth middy for his first points on the @Lakers squad 🤩#NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/W81WaEkP1M
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 5, 2024
Knecht fell down the board to Los Angeles at No. 17 on draft night, primarily because of his age, but he has proved the doubters wrong in his playing opportunities so far.
He currently sits at +1300 odds to win the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, which places him seventh among rookies as the preseason gets underway. Former Purdue center Zach Edey has the highest odds at +500 and is followed by former Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard (+650) and Zaccharie Risacher (+900).
It’s still very early, and there’s a ton of basketball left to play, but Knecht looks like he could be a valuable asset to the Lakers’ offense this season and help them return to the playoffs after losing 4-1 in the first round last year.
The Lakers continue preseason play on Sunday night as they host the Phoenix Suns at 9:30 PM ET. We might have to wait until Wednesday to watch Knecht and the Lakers on national TV as they play the Milwaukee Bucks on NBA TV at 8:00 PM ET.
