Knecht Struggles to Find Rhythm in California Classic as Lakers Falter
Dalton Knecht, a promising talent out of Tennessee, has found himself struggling to find his rhythm during the California Classic summer league. The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Golden State Warriors 92-68 on Sunday, a game that underscored Knecht's recent shooting woes.
In his 22 minutes on the court, Knecht managed to score 12 points. However, the efficiency wasn't there as the 6'6" guard shot just 3-of-13 from the field. This performance follows a similarly off-target outing on Saturday, where he went 3-of-12.
Through his first two summer league games, Knecht has connected on only 13.3% of his jump shots, going 2-of-15, which points to a stark contrast from his collegiate days. Last season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game and hit 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, according to Synergy Sports.
Despite the struggles, Knecht has managed to get to the free-throw line 14 times across the two games and has converted 4-of-8 shots at the rim. His ability to draw fouls and finish at the basket shows that his offensive skill set is multifaceted, even as his perimeter game has yet to fully translate to the professional level.
The Lakers’ summer league coach, Dane Johnson, remains optimistic about Knecht’s potential and development. "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 remarked.
Knecht himself acknowledges the challenges but remains focused on rediscovering his form. "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," Knecht said, reflecting a mindset steeped in resilience and confidence.
It's worth noting that Knecht was a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft but slid out of the lottery on draft night. The Lakers' faith in his ability to adapt and thrive remains, even as he navigates the rocky start to his professional journey.
The Lakers have one more game left in the California Classic against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This upcoming game provides another opportunity for Knecht to shake off the rust and demonstrate why he was so highly regarded heading into the draft.
As Knecht continues his adjustment to the professional game, both he and the Lakers organization are hopeful that his collegiate proficiency will reemerge, and the jump shots that have evaded him thus far will begin to fall. Until then, the support from his coaches and his unwavering shooter’s mentality will be crucial as he aims to find his footing in this new chapter of his basketball career.