Dalton Knecht, a promising talent with high expectations, has experienced a challenging start during the California Classic. The Los Angeles Lakers succumbed to a 92-68 defeat against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, and Knecht's performance has drawn attention for all the wrong reasons.
The former Tennessee standout managed to score 12 points, but it came on a tough 3-of-13 shooting night over 22 minutes of play. This follows another difficult outing on Saturday where Knecht finished 3-of-12 from the floor. His jump shots have particularly struggled to find the mark, with Knecht hitting just 2-of-15 attempts from distance across his first two summer league games, marking a stark 13.3% accuracy.
Despite current shooting woes, Knecht has shown resilience in other areas. He made his way to the free-throw line 14 times over these two games and converted 4-of-8 shots at the rim. Still, this is a far cry from his impressive collegiate stats at Tennessee, where he averaged a robust 21.7 points per game and hit 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, according to Synergy Sports.
Before the recent NBA Draft, Knecht was a consensus top-10 pick, and the drop out of the lottery on draft night has only added to the scrutiny he faces. As the Lakers head into their final game of the California Classic against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, the pressure is on for Knecht to find his shooting rhythm.
Knecht's Focus on Patience and Rhythm
In the face of these struggles, Lakers' summer league coach Dane Johnson is calling for patience. "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 reassures.
Knecht himself is also taking on a composed approach, as he adapts to a new level of play and teammates. "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. Shooters shoot," Knecht reflects with a sense of determination and self-belief.
Transitioning from College to NBA
The path from college basketball's intensity to the professional stage is famously fraught with hurdles. Knecht’s transition appears no different as it involves adapting to a faster pace, more physical play, and heightened defensive pressure, all while still finding a seamless integration with his team.
His final collegiate year showcased his potential – a sharp shooting guard with an eye for the basket and a knack for scoring. Analysts hailed his catch-and-shoot efficiency, making his early professional hiccups all the more puzzling as the sports world expects him to recalibrate and prove his draft night supporters right.
Looking Ahead to the Miami Heat
Wednesday offers Knecht a new opportunity to turn things around. While summer leagues are about development rather than record-keeping, a standout performance could help shift the narrative and alleviate some of the pressure building around the young guard. Every player faces ups and downs, and finding form early in his career is crucial for Knecht to stake his claim in the Lakers’ roster discussions moving forward.
The upcoming match against the Miami Heat will serve as a gauge for how quickly Knecht can pivot and apply the lessons of his early struggles. Player development is a marathon, not a sprint, and both the Lakers and their fans are eager to see if Knecht can channel his collegiate prowess into making a significant impact on the professional stage.