LeBron James endorsement illustrates bigger point about Dalton Knecht

LeBron James endorsement illustrates bigger point about Dalton Knecht

 

LeBron James offered high praise for Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht. It speaks to a bigger-picture fact the Lakers must consider.

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht has already begun to turn heads around the NBA. The reigning SEC Player of the Year flashed a dominant streak at Summer League and has already showcased his versatile scoring skill set during the preseason.

Of the vocal supporters in his corner, none have been as prominent as Lakers teammate and four-time NBA MVP LeBron James.

James added his name to the ring as one of the many who has praised Knecht for both his upside and what he already brings to the table.

Every rookie in NBA history has. Even James, an all-time great, had his ups and downs as a first-year player, shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 29.0 percent from beyond the arc—but that shouldn’t prevent the Lakers from seeing this process through.

Knecht played the 2023-24 season in truly unstoppable form, ranking in the top 10 in the country in scoring and three-point field goals made. He led the Tennessee Volunteers to the men’s team’s first Elite Eight appearance since 2010, and scored 37 points in his final game—his eighth 30-point game of the season, and just three points shy of the 40 he dropped on the 23-10 Kentucky Wildcats.

Knecht accomplished everything he did by utilizing a versatile and dynamic scoring skill set, showing the ability to convert from every angle of the court.

James’ endorsement of Knecht is a sign of the fact that he’s ready to contribute quality minutes, but it’s his untapped potential that makes it crucial for Los Angeles to bite the bullet and accept his rookie-season flaws.