{"id":103358,"date":"2024-10-27T04:44:19","date_gmt":"2024-10-27T08:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=103358"},"modified":"2024-10-27T04:44:19","modified_gmt":"2024-10-27T08:44:19","slug":"lakers-dalton-knecht-rookie-of-the-year-dark-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/27\/lakers-dalton-knecht-rookie-of-the-year-dark-horse\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers\u2019 Dalton Knecht A Rookie Of The Year Dark Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dalton Knecht<\/a> was never supposed to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n

Despite being an older prospect, Knecht was popular in draft circles, seen as having an NBA-ready game. Leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft, it was even thought that he could be picked in the top-10<\/a>. All\u2019s well that ends well though, as there are better teams more suited for him.<\/p>\n

Due to Knecht\u2019s age, he\u2019s a better fit on an established team rather than one that was rebuilding. Of the teams in the lottery, only the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Sacramento Kings were bonafide playoff contenders. None of those teams are coached by a former three-point specialist.<\/p>\n

Lakers\u2019 Dalton Knecht A Rookie Of The Year Dark Horse<\/h2>\n

To nobody\u2019s surprise, Lakers head coach JJ Redick is pretty good with the Xs and Os. However, when it comes to Knecht, it\u2019s not Redick\u2019s basketball IQ that matters so much as familiarity.<\/p>\n

When Redick looks at Knecht, he might not be thinking that he\u2019s looking at his mirror image. Yet, he has an innate understanding of what Knecht needs to get going. Redick\u2019s work with the clipboard will help Knecht get the right shots, but he knows the right shots for Knecht because of their shared talent.<\/p>\n