Dalton Knecht, a former standout at Tennessee, has experienced a rocky start to his Summer League stint with the Los Angeles Lakers at the California Classic. The highly anticipated prospect has struggled to find his shooting rhythm, much to the disappointment of fans and analysts alike.
During Sunday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers suffered a lopsided 92-68 defeat. Knecht, who was expected to be a key contributor, managed to score just 12 points, hitting only 3-of-13 shots in 22 minutes on the floor. This performance followed a similarly disappointing night on Saturday, where Knecht went 3-of-12 from the field. His shooting woes continued through his first two summer league games, going 2-of-15 on jumpers, translating to a mere 13.3% accuracy.
Knecht’s difficulties are surprising given his stellar final season at Tennessee, where he averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game and connected on 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, as reported by Synergy Sports. He was projected to be a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft but ultimately slid out of the lottery on draft night.
Despite these early struggles, Lakers' summer league coach Dane Johnson remains optimistic. “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,” said Johnson. This endorsement highlights the coaching staff’s belief in Knecht’s potential to turn things around as he shakes off the rust from his extended hiatus from competitive play.
Knecht himself acknowledges the challenges of returning to form after a break. “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,” he remarked. This mindset reflects a resilience and confidence that bodes well for his future performances.
One aspect of Knecht’s game that remains promising is his ability to get to the free-throw line. Over the first two games, he made 14 trips to the charity stripe and managed to convert 4-of-8 shots at the rim. While this demonstrates his aggressiveness and willingness to attack the basket, improving his finishing at the rim will be crucial as he seeks to enhance his overall scoring efficiency.
With one more game left in the California Classic against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, Knecht has an opportunity to regroup and make a stronger impression. His path to regaining his sharp shooting form seen in college hinges on continuing to adapt to the pace and physicality of the professional game.
Patience appears to be the mantra for both Knecht and his coaches as they navigate through these early growing pains. With his pedigree and work ethic, it would be premature to write off the young prospect. The journey through the summer league is a crucial step in translating potential into performance, and all eyes will be on Knecht to see if he can rise to the challenge.