The Los Angeles Lakers only had one first round pick between the 2024 and 2025 NBA Drafts. So, they had to make it count.<\/p>\n
Initially, reports pointed to the Lakers having interest in USC\u2019s Bronny James<\/a> with the 17th or 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. That\u2019s an incredibly large gap. Yet, with James being used as a pawn in his father\u2019s free agency, it made sense. Surely, James could have been drafted before the end of the second round by a team who wanted to<\/a> make his dad\u2019s decision more difficult.<\/p>\n At the same time, the Lakers were said to be looking into centers. Baylor\u2019s Yves Missi<\/a> was usually tied to L.A. with regard to these rumors. However, on draft night, Missi was selected 21st overall by the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers had bypassed Missi to add a prospect who wasn\u2019t expected to be available outside of the lottery: Tennessee\u2019s Dalton Knecht<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a hard fought battle between L.A. and the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night, Knecht put the NBA world on notice. The 23-year-old became the first Lakers player since at least 1996-97 to score at least 30 points<\/a> in a preseason game (h\/t ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin). In the process, he scored 20 straight points between the fourth quarter and overtime.<\/p>\n Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht STOLE THE SHOW scoring TWENTY STRAIGHT in the 4Q and OT leading LAL to the #NBAPreseason<\/a> victory!<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd25 35 PTS \u2014 NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nLakers Rookie Dalton Knecht\u2019s Historic Preseason Game Proves He\u2019s Draft Steal<\/h2>\n
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\n\ud83d\udd25 10-18 FGM pic.twitter.com\/WFCptZs3cd<\/a><\/p>\n