Los Angeles Lakers first-round pick Dalton Knecht is dubbed by draft experts as the early steal of this year's class simply because he fell off the board. Prior to draft day, the guard from University of Tennessee was expected to be picked in the top 10 to the point that he didn't even work out with the Lakers.
But when draft day arrived, Knecht was chosen 17th overall. While he believes it was a blessing in disguise, it also motivates him to prove those who passed up on him wrong.
"There's just more motivation that those teams slipped and the Lakers had full belief in me. No matter what, I'm going to put in the work. But it's extra motivation for me to even keep putting in more work. Just like when I was a kid in Southern Colorado trying to make a D-1 team with all my guys out there [at Prairie View High School]. Nothing really changes. I'm staying who I am. I'm getting shots up in the gym. I try to take care of my body. I try to be the best overall team player that I can be ," Knecht told Sportskeeda's Mike Media.
Knecht landed at the perfect place
The 23-year-old fell to 17 because of his age, as scouts and general managers felt Knecht was too old to be considered a prospect. However, certain teams like the Lakers could use matured and groomed players, especially now when they're in win mode and aren't necessarily focused on developing young players. Given that Knecht spent four years in college, he's ready to contribute to the purple and gold right now.
"I'm just going to go out and hoop. I'll be who I am and do whatever the team needs me to do. I'll go out and compete. I'll always have a chip on my shoulder, whether they drafted me or not. If I'm not their team, I'll have a chip no matter what. If I'm playing any team, I'm going to have a chip on my shoulder because that's who I am ," Knecht said.
True enough, Knecht is already playing key minutes for the Lakers in their first three games. The rookie averages 7.7 points on 41.7% three-point shooting in 16.3 minutes. He also leads the Lakers and this year's rookie class in the plus-minus category so far this season.
Knecht's also under perfect guidance
As someone advertised as a lethal shooter, Knecht also found the perfect mentor in JJ Redick — one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history. In fact, it hasn't taken Knecht long to adopt some of Redick's best qualities during his playing years as the former has already integrated Redick's warm-up routine into his own workouts. The best part is that Knecht feels that his head coach has been one of his greatest supporters since he got the Lakers, and this is shown based on his belief in the 6'6" guard.
Only time will tell whether Knecht proves he shouldn't have been passed on by 16 teams. But for now, it's already looking like he's the steal of the draft, and there's no other team that will celebrate that more than the Lakers.
Related: "Cannon!!!!!!!" - LeBron James and the Lakers react to rookie Dalton Knecht's explosive night
Local News
Comments / 0