Lakers head coach JJ Redick appeared on Zach Lowe’s “The Lowe Post” podcast on Monday, touching on a variety topics as he prepares to lead the purple and gold. Aside from a relatively surprising reveal of who will be starting next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, he discussed the team’s depth and players who have a chance to earn rotational minutes next season.
JJ Redick: Lakers Rookie Could Earn Rotation Spot Next Season
Redick Giving Dalton Knecht a Chance
In his rotation remarks, Redick initially pointed out that availability—not depth—was a bigger concern for the Lakers, and that injuries to key contributors would open the door for other players to earn increased opportunities. Among them are the Lakers’ young players, and specifically, first-round pick Dalton Knecht, who Redick had high praise for in his interview with Lowe:
“I actually think based on everything I’ve seen since Summer League, we’re gonna have to make some tough decisions in the rotation because there’s a number of guys, younger players, that have really improved over the last two-and-a-half months that when we’ve had our small group workouts and our sort of player development games, that have really played well and have really grown and sort of embraced how we want to play. And they’re gonna have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. Even just with like Dalton [Knecht], to me, I told him this the other day, he is in the 1% of shooters. He’s in the 1%. He has a skill that is just hard to find. He’s gonna have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation.”
Historically, shooting has been the Lakers’ kryptonite, though the numbers improved this past season. The team shot 37.7% in the regular season (eighth in the league), but only nearly 30% in the playoffs (15th). Adding someone of Knecht’s caliber will be vital in that regard, especially if the Lakers make the playoffs in Redick’s inaugural campaign.
Knecht May Be Ideal Fit
The team landed an arguable steal when they selected the former Tennessee sharpshooter at #17 overall. Knecht quickly proved himself in the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging the third-most points (21.3) on 41.8% shooting from the field, 39.1% from three and 81.8% from the free-throw line. Aside from his perimeter prowess, Knecht also showed flashes of athleticism and playmaking potential. And while he admits defense wasn’t his strong suit in college, he has improved in that department, becoming more engaged and racking up occasional steals and blocks in the process. Across three games in Vegas, he averaged 1.67 swipes per game. Knecht must hone in on stopping the ball if he wants to improve his chances and become a legitimate 3-and-D threat.
Besides competing with other young players for minutes—Redick mentioned Max Christie and Jalen Hood-Schifino as other options—Knecht will have to overcome a positional battle wherever he slots in. If Redick elects to use Knecht as a shooting guard, the rookie will have to mainly compete with Christie, who already figures to be a prominent piece of the puzzle. But if Knecht is used as a wing—which makes sense considering his skill set and 6’6”, 215-pound frame—he will have to outwork 25-year-old former starter Cam Reddish, who is looking to improve after a lackluster, injury-filled season.
Dalton Knecht has clearly made a strong first impression on coaches and fans alike, drawing attention with his versatile offensive game. It’s too early to determine if he can crack an NBA rotation, but he certainly has the tools and potential to make an impact sooner than later.
