Dalton Knecht Faces Early Struggles in California Classic
Dalton Knecht, once a standout at Tennessee, is encountering unexpected difficulties as he transitions into his professional career during the California Classic. The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Golden State Warriors 92-68 on Sunday, spotlighting Knecht's struggles on the court. The promising player, who was anticipated to be a top-10 pick before sliding out of the lottery, has yet to find his rhythm in the summer league.
In Sunday’s game, Knecht managed to put up 12 points, but his shooting woes were evident as he went 3-of-13 in his 22 minutes of play. This outing followed another challenging performance on Saturday, where Knecht ended the game with a 3-of-12 from the floor. Over his first two summer league games, Knecht is a combined 2-of-15 on jumpers, translating to a mere 13.3% accuracy.
Despite these struggles, Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson remains optimistic about Knecht's potential. "Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come. He's a great player, so I'm not worried about him missing some of the shots he's taking. He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it," Johnson noted.
Knecht himself acknowledges the challenges he’s facing as he adjusts to the rigors of high-level play. "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting. … Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot," Knecht shared.
While his shooting percentage may be off, Knecht has shown resilience in other areas. He has been aggressive in getting to the free-throw line, making 14 attempts across the two games, and has successfully converted 4-of-8 shots at the rim. This aggressiveness hints at the scoring potential that saw him average a remarkable 21.7 points per game in his final collegiate season.
Knecht’s collegiate record with Tennessee underscores his ability to adapt and perform. According to Synergy Sports, he hit 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers last season, a testament to his shooting prowess. Hence, there is a palpable sense of anticipation that Knecht will regain his form as he becomes more accustomed to the level of play in the summer league.
The Lakers, reflecting on their collective performance, have one more opportunity to showcase their talent in the California Classic. They will face the Miami Heat on Wednesday, providing Knecht with another chance to find his shooting touch and make a strong impression. Considering his trajectory and the support from his coaching staff, there is a cautious optimism surrounding Knecht’s future.
Transitions from college to the professional level are rarely without hurdles, and Dalton Knecht’s journey is no exception. His shooting struggles are part of a broader adjustment process that many rookies experience. However, his ability to draw fouls and his aggressive play at the rim suggest that once his shooting returns to form, he will be a considerable asset for the Lakers.
The next game will be crucial not only for the Lakers but also for Knecht’s confidence and development as a professional player. All eyes will be on how he navigates this transition and whether he can tap into the potential that was so evident in his collegiate career. The talent is indisputable; what remains to be seen is how quickly he can adjust and deliver on the promise that made him a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft.