Lakers GM praises first-round NBA draft pick Dalton Knecht

The Los Angeles Lakers selected Dalton Knecht with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The former Tennessee guard will intensify competition in the backcourt and might even secure some rotation minutes under coach JJ Redick.

When addressing the media during his post-draft news conference, Rob Pelinka admitted that he was shocked to have Knecht available when the Lakers came on the clock.

“We never would’ve imagined a player as skilled and perfect for our needs would be there for us as Dalton Knecht,” Pelinka said. "We had him as a top-10 player unanimously across our scouting boards. I was at the SEC tournament scouting him extensively. In my mind, there is no way a player like this will be available for us to pick on draft night. Across the board, just couldn’t be happier.”

Knecht is a solid athlete who plays a physical brand of basketball. He's proven to be a reliable defender at the collegiate level, and most of his skill set is projected to be translatable to the NBA. Furthermore, Knecht is a genuine three-level scorer, which adds another dynamic to the Lakers' offensive rotation.

However, Lakers fans will likely be skeptical of Pelinka's comments. Los Angeles isn't viewed as an ideal landing spot for talented rookies. Pelinka often finds a way to flip them in return for a seasoned veteran who can impact winning in the short term. It's why the Lakers are so short on tradeable assets, and the only young talents in the rotation are players acquired via trade.

Still, L.A. should be excited about Knecht. He has all the skills to become a reliable guard in the NBA. If Redick is willing to develop the young guard and produce when given the opportunity, he could be an essential player.