Dalton Knecht Battles to Find Groove During California Classic
The California Classic hasn't gone as smoothly as Dalton Knecht might have hoped, with the promising athlete struggling to find his rhythm on the court. The Los Angeles Lakers' summer league squad suffered a hefty 92-68 defeat against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, with Knecht's performance reflecting the broader challenges faced by the team.
Knecht managed to score 12 points during the game, but the efficiency was lacking. He connected on just 3-of-13 shots in his 22 minutes of play, underscoring a rough patch that has persisted since the onset of the summer league tournament. Just a day earlier, he ended 3-of-12 from the floor in Saturday's matchup.
Through his first two summer league games, Knecht is a mere 2-of-15 on jumpers, which translates to an underwhelming 13.3% shooting accuracy. Despite these struggles, Knecht hasn't shied away from the physical confrontations, managing to earn 14 trips to the free-throw line and successfully converting four of his eight attempts at the rim.
This current dip in form is certainly a stark contrast to Knecht's stellar final collegiate season at Tennessee. Averaging 21.7 points per game, Knecht demonstrated why he was a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft. His sharp shooting was a marquee attribute, as he hit 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, according to Synergy Sports.
However, despite his pre-draft accolades, Knecht experienced a slide on draft night and fell out of the lottery. Now, finding himself in the professional arena, Knecht is clearly combating some early challenges. Understanding this transitional phase, Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson remains confident in Knecht's potential. "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 said.
For his part, Knecht maintains a positive outlook amidst these early struggles. Reflecting on his journey back onto the court, he said, "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."
Time is still on Knecht's side. The Lakers have one more game left in the California Classic, set against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This provides another chance for Knecht to recapture his form and silence any doubters about his capabilities. With the faith of his coaching staff and his own determined mindset, few would bet against Knecht finding his way back to the kind of explosive form that marked his college career.
In these early summer league days, it’s not uncommon for promising players to face a learning curve as they adjust to the professional game. Dalton Knecht’s journey serves as a reminder that transition periods, while sometimes challenging, are often a prelude to greater success. As the summer league progresses, all eyes will be on Knecht to see how he adapts and rises to the occasion. The enduring belief is that it is only a matter of time before Knecht’s true potential shines through.