NBA star makes big statement about Dalton Knecht after Lakers draft the former Vols standout

New Orleans Pelicans star CJ McCollum is a big fan of the Los Angeles Lakers' decision to draft former Tennessee Vols standout Dalton Knecht.

McCollum, in fact, thinks that Knecht, who was selected No. 17 overall by the Lakers, will "have the biggest impact in year one".

"I think Dalton's going to have the biggest impact in year one," said McCollum. "I think the addition of JJ Redick to that staff, he was already drawing up ATOs and pindowns. Who better to mold Dalton than arguably one of the best off-ball movement shooters of all time? He's aggressive, he's athletic, he's confident, he's going to be able to play off the ball. LeBron (James) and AD (Anthony Davis) are going to have so much gravity, it's going to open things for him, Austin Reaves, and D-Lo (D'Angelo Russell), if D-Lo's coming back.

"I like the draft pick, I like that he's mature, I like that he's 23 years old. He's been in college, he's a consensus All-American. He had six games in which he scored 35 plus points....love his skill set, love the pick, thought he should've been picked earlier."

Knecht was undoubtedly hoping to be selected earlier in the draft (the speculation is that he fell because of his age), but landing in Los Angeles might have been the best-case scenario for the former Vol.

Not only does Knecht get to play with a future Hall of Famer in James, but as McCollum mentioned, he should have plenty of opportunities to make an impact thanks to all of the attention that Davis and James receive from opposing defenders.

Related: Tennessee Vols star Dalton Knecht inadvertently involved in awkward moment during first night of 2024 NBA Draft