{"id":120550,"date":"2025-01-28T16:28:03","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T21:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=120550"},"modified":"2025-01-28T16:28:03","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T21:28:03","slug":"lakers-dalton-knecht-rising-stars-player-pool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/28\/lakers-dalton-knecht-rising-stars-player-pool\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Rookie Named to Rising Stars Player Pool"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> will be well-represented at this year\u2019s All-Star weekend. Aside from LeBron James<\/a> being named an All-Star starter for the 21st consecutive year, one of the team\u2019s rookies will appear in the 2025 Rising Stars Game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Rookie Named to Rising Stars Player Pool<\/b><\/h2>\n

Dalton Knecht Earns Rising Stars Nod<\/b><\/h3>\n

Forward Dalton Knecht<\/a> will represent the LakeShow in the 2025 Rising Stars game, joining nine other first-year players in the rookie-sophomore matchup. He is the <\/span>13th Laker<\/span><\/a> to participate in the contest, and the first to do so since <\/span>Lonzo Ball<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Kyle Kuzma<\/span><\/a> in 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n

When asked about participating in the Rising Stars game two weeks ago,<\/span> Knecht<\/span><\/a>\u00a0replied: \u201c<\/span>\u201cNah I haven’t really thought about it but I’m pretty sure now I will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The 23-year-old was an arguable steal of the 2024 NBA Draft, going 17th overall to the Lakers after many considered him a lottery selection. He has had a roller-coaster rookie campaign for LA so far. Knecht emerged as a rotation player for JJ Redick and even started for a brief stretch in late November through early December. However, he has also shown signs of hitting the rookie wall, with his minutes and production fluctuating over the last month. In 44 games (12 starts), Knecht has averaged 9.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists while shooting 45% from the field, 35% from three and 80% from the free-throw line. His 9.1 PPG average is <\/span>eighth among rookies<\/span><\/a>, barely trailing the likes of <\/span>Zach Edey<\/span><\/a> (9.6, 7th), <\/span>Zaccharie Risacher<\/span><\/a> (10.6, 6th) and <\/span>Alex Sarr<\/span><\/a> (11.5, 5th)<\/span><\/p>\n

Knecht earned a well-deserved Rising Stars nod as a rookie who positively contributes to a star-studded contender. His recent stretch may keep him out of <\/span>\u201cRookie of the Year\u201d<\/span><\/a> conversations, but his effort is recognizable and laudable no matter the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knecht\u2019s Role Amid New-Look Lakers<\/b><\/h3>\n

With the acquisition of <\/span>Dorian Finney-Smith<\/span><\/a> and return of <\/span>Jarred Vanderbilt<\/span><\/a>, many have questioned where Knecht fits into this new iteration of the purple and gold. The team has begun leaning into a defense-first identity, but that doesn\u2019t erase the offensive contributions one bit. Knecht appears to have adjusted nicely over the last few games, drilling over half of his three-point attempts prior to last night\u2019s contest against the Hornets. He missed his lone attempt from downtown Monday night, but is still at 9\/17 from three (52.9%) over his last five games.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Don\u2019t look now-<\/p>\n

But Dalton Knecht is 9\/16 from 3 (56%) in his last 4 Games.<\/p>\n

Perfect timing to get his Offense going, as the Defensive Cavalry comes marching in.<\/p>\n

DK, Have It Your Way. pic.twitter.com\/UzocVfcG45<\/a><\/p>\n

— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) January 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n