Dalton Knecht is navigating through some early turbulence in his summer league debut at the California Classic. The rookie, recently drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, has faced a challenging start, struggling to find his shooting rhythm and adapt to the new level of competition.
The difficulties were evident during the Lakers' matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, which ended in a lopsided 92-68 defeat. Knecht, expected to be a pivotal player, scored 12 points but only managed to connect on 3 of his 13 attempts from the field during his 22 minutes on the court. This performance followed another tough outing on Saturday, where he finished 3-of-12 from the floor.
Knecht’s shooting woes are underscored by his statistics over the first two games: an icy 13.3% accuracy on jump shots, hitting just 2 of his 15 attempts. Despite these shooting struggles, there were moments where Knecht showed his potential, getting to the free-throw line 14 times across the two games and converting half of his 8 shots at the rim.
"Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come," said Lakers’ summer league coach, Dane Johnson. "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."
Such patience and belief in Knecht's capabilities are well-founded. In his final collegiate season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game and hit 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, according to Synergy Sports. These numbers reflect a player with the talent to perform at a high level, even if his current performance might not yet mirror his collegiate success.
Reflecting on his initial struggles, Knecht acknowledged the gap since his last competitive game. "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."
These words embody the perseverance that Knecht needs as he continues to find his footing. Transitioning from college basketball to the professional league is no small feat, and it's not uncommon for rookies, even those with significant promise, to encounter growing pains.
Moreover, Knecht’s slide out of the lottery on draft night, despite being a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft, adds an extra layer of complexity to his journey. The pressure to prove himself is undoubtedly heightened, making his adaptation period more critical.
The California Classic offers Knecht limited time to make his mark, with only one more game left against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This upcoming game will be another opportunity for Knecht to find his rhythm and demonstrate the shooting prowess that has been his hallmark.
The Lakers, known for their storied history and championship aspirations, are looking for Knecht to evolve into a reliable contributor. His early challenges are a part of the developmental process, a phase where perseverance, support, and refined technique can transform potential into performance.
As the summer league progresses, all eyes will remain on Knecht. His ability to bounce back and showcase the skill set that made him a standout at Tennessee will be crucial for his journey in the NBA. For now, both the Lakers and Knecht are focused on patience, practice, and the belief that his shots will soon start finding their mark.