Dalton Knecht experienced an unexpected wait at the Barclays Center on Wednesday night as the NBA Draft unfolded. Despite projections placing him higher, the Los Angeles Lakers capitalized on his slide, securing what many consider a steal in the first round.
Selected at the No. 17 spot, Knecht’s delayed call surprised observers, including analysts who anticipated an earlier pick. Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports had even predicted him going as high as 6th overall earlier in the day.
The delay in Knecht’s selection was attributed partly to age, at 23, making him one of the older prospects in his draft class. Nonetheless, his career trajectory has been marked by overcoming obstacles. Beginning without a Division-I scholarship, Knecht progressed from junior college to Northern Colorado before shining in his final collegiate season with Tennessee.
During his tenure with the Volunteers, Knecht boasted impressive stats, averaging 21.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He played a pivotal role in Tennessee’s journey to the Elite Eight, marking their deepest NCAA tournament run since 2010. Known for his sharpshooting, Knecht shot nearly 40% from three-point range and earned accolades such as SEC Player of the Year and first-team All-American.
While Knecht may not be viewed as a franchise cornerstone, his experience and scoring ability are expected to contribute immediately at the NBA level. Joining forces with LeBron James under the guidance of head coach J.J. Redick in Los Angeles presents an ideal fit for his skill set.
For the Lakers, securing Knecht promises to be a strategic move that could pay dividends in the upcoming season.
