Dalton Knecht Must Fix Key Struggle at Vegas Summer League

The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the 2024-25 season with the pressure to improve. They went 47-35 last season and earned the seventh seed. The Lakers were bounced in the first round at the hands of the Denver Nuggets and decided it was time to switch some things around.

They changed head coaches and added two playmakers in the 2024 NBA Draft Dalton Knecht and Bronny James.

Many people were surprised that Knecht fell to Los Angeles at No. 17 but that worked in their favor. Knecht got to step on the floor twice for the Lakers thus far as they participated in the California Classic.

The former Tennessee standout showed he's capable of getting buckets from all three levels but there still are some areas he needs to improve, mainly his shooting percentage.

The 23-year-old averaged 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, two assists, and 1.3 steals in 26.3 minutes per game. Despite that, he needs to take some better shots and be more efficient. The 2024 first-round pick went 12-of-43 (27.9%) from the floor and 4-of-15 (26.8%) from downtown.

When playing next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, his total number of shots will decrease so he needs to be efficient with his attempts.

As defenders collapse on either James or Davis, it'll create more openings for Knecht, especially from 3-point land. Knocking down those shots at a consistent clip will go a long way in his development as a rookie.

During the 2023-24 season with Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 45% from the floor and 39% from downtown.

He is capable of shooting high percentages but now he needs it to translate to the NBA.

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