Dalton Knecht didn’t need much time in opener to prove he’s ready for the moment
Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Footprint Center.
The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled their rookies to the world during the 2024-25 regular season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bronny James inevitably made headlines as he and LeBron James officially became the first father-son duo in NBA history.
In just 16 minutes of action, however, 2024 first-round draft pick Dalton Knecht established just how special he could be for Los Angeles.
Knecht’s statistics won’t blow anyone away. He finished his NBA debut with five points, two assists, one rebound, and one steal while shooting 2-of-4 from the field and 1-of-3 from beyond the arc. He also committed a turnover and a foul.
Knecht had a positive impact on the Lakers, however, and his effort and overall performance beyond the numbers offered grounds for optimism.
The 23-year-old played with energy on both ends of the floor, thus showing how far he’s come in a limited amount of time as a defender. There are still areas in which he must improve, but the plays he made under pressure were anything but run of the mill.
Knecht will need time to develop into the player he’s capable of becoming, but there’s clearly a reason why he was second among the reserves in minutes in the season opener.
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