SAN FRANCISCO — Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht struggled to find his groove for the second straight day at the California Classic as L.A. was defeated by the Golden State Warriors 92-68 on Sunday. Following a 3-of-12 shooting performance in the previous game on Saturday, Knecht managed to score 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting in 22 minutes of play the next day.
Despite his shooting woes, Knecht showed versatility in getting open through dribble-hand-offs and curls. In his first two summer league games, Knecht has only made 2 of 15 jumpers (13.3%).
“Just being patient,” Lakers summer league coach Dane Johnson commented on Knecht’s struggles. “It’s a long summer league. He’s a great player, so I’m not concerned about his missed shots. He’s a great shooter. Let the game come to him. You can see flashes of his talent.”
Knecht’s shooting slump may simply be a matter of shots not falling. In his final year at Tennessee, Knecht excelled as an All-American, averaging 21.7 points per game with exceptional shotmaking skills, particularly on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.
“I haven’t played since March,” Knecht reflected. “Just trying to find my rhythm again, playing with new teammates, and adjusting. … Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot.”
The 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Tennessee, Knecht was initially projected as a top-10 pick but slipped out of the lottery on draft night. With the Lakers yet to make any roster moves, Knecht could have an opportunity to contribute immediately under first-year head coach JJ Redick.
Another positive takeaway from Knecht’s performances is his ability to attack the rim, drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line 14 times in two games. He is 4-of-8 on shots at the rim, showcasing his athleticism.
The Lakers will wrap up their California Classic campaign against the Miami Heat on Wednesday before heading to Las Vegas for the next phase of summer league.
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