An NBA scout informed LA Lakers reporter Jovan Buha what he noticed in Dalton Knecht after a wierd rookie season.
Dalton Knecht’s rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers was a narrative of two halves. The No. 17 choose within the 2024 NBA Draft did not precisely set the world on hearth.
Knecht turned the Lakers’ breakout star early within the season, peaking in December with a 37-point efficiency.
Nevertheless, because the season progressed, Knecht started to battle, having a number of inefficient offensive nights and lackluster defensive efforts.
Knecht’s struggles continued into summer season league, and he confirmed no indicators of enchancment through the Lakers’ preseason. However what do scouts across the NBA consider him?
Los Angeles Lakers reporter Jovan Buha spoke on his podcast about his expertise on the Lakers’ preseason sport towards the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas.
He informed a narrative he spoke with an NBA scout who expressed concern about Dalton Knecht’s lack of progress after a disappointing rookie 12 months.
“On the Lakers-Mavericks preseason sport final evening, I used to be speaking to a scout from one other crew and he was simply speaking about Dalton’s struggles.
“From a decision-making standpoint, there hasn’t been a lot progress there, that is an space of his sport, he simply hasn’t discovered the suitable strikes on both facet of the ball.
“Clearly, he is improved much more offensively, however this man expressed a variety of skepticism.
“This is only one particular person’s opinion, however I’ve mentioned it earlier than: When you’ve an outdoor dialog about Dalton with somebody apart from the Lakers, it tends to be comparatively destructive or pessimistic.”
Given Knecht’s sturdy preseason with the Lakers, there was some hope that Dalton Knecht might flip issues round through the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason video games.
Nevertheless, Knecht didn’t make an impression, solely exhibiting that his struggles weren’t distinctive to final season.
Except Knecht miraculously regains his early type early within the NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers could have to just accept Knecht’s transfer within the coming months.
Knecht is a commerce destructive asset at this level, and Knecht must be used as cap filler in a possible commerce earlier than the deadline.
