Dalton Knecht, a player who once shone brightly in collegiate basketball, is facing a challenging transition as he seeks to find his rhythm in the California Classic. Despite his impressive performance at Tennessee, where he averaged 21.7 points per game and hit 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, Knecht's start in the summer league has been less than stellar.
In a disappointing 92-68 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Knecht scored 12 points, but this performance came on the back of a difficult shooting night. He managed just 3-of-13 from the field in his 22 minutes on the court. This followed another tough outing on Saturday, where he finished 3-of-12. Through his first two summer league games, Knecht’s jump shot accuracy stands at a mere 13.3%, with a 2-of-15 record on jumpers.
While these statistics might raise eyebrows, it is essential to keep in mind that transitioning from college hoops to the NBA is often a steep learning curve. Lakers' summer league coach, Dane Johnson, remains optimistic about 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 commented.
Knecht’s struggles can partly be attributed to the rustiness from not having played since March. Finding rhythm and adjusting to the new dynamics of a summer league team can be daunting, but Knecht remains undeterred. "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting," Knecht explained. "Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot."
Despite his shooting woes, Knecht has showcased an ability to get to the free-throw line. Over the two games, he made 14 trips to the charity stripe and also demonstrated some effectiveness around the rim with 4-of-8 conversions. For a player adjusting to a new level of competition, these signs indicate that he is finding ways to contribute even when his primary weapon, the jump shot, is failing him.
Expectations were high for Knecht coming into the draft. He was a consensus top-10 pick before he slid out of the lottery on draft night. Such high expectations can often weigh heavily on young players making their first steps into professional basketball. The pressure to deliver immediately is immense, but summer league performance is rarely a definitive indicator of future success. For Knecht, the focus should continue to be on growth and adjustment.
The Lakers have one more game left in the California Classic against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. This final game offers Knecht another opportunity to find his shooting touch and demonstrate the potential that had him so highly rated before the draft. His journey in the NBA is just beginning, and these early struggles could very well become a valuable learning experience that helps shape his career moving forward.
The narrative around Dalton Knecht is not one of failure, but one of a player navigating the hurdles of professional sports. With determination, patience, and support from his coaches and teammates, Knecht has the foundation to excel. His collegiate numbers and shooting prowess attest to his capabilities; it now becomes a matter of translating those skills to the NBA stage. As summer league coach Dane Johnson aptly put it, “There are some [flashes] where you see that he’s got it.”