Lakers Rookie Already Projected to be in the Rotation to Start Next Season

The Los Angeles Lakers are once again the talk of the town in the NBA. Even though they have not made any roster moves this offseason, they managed to get all the eyes on them by drafting Bronny James with the 55th overall pick. One thing that went under the radar in the meantime is the steal they got with their first-round selection.

Dalton Knecht has been putting together solid performances in the Summer League so far and has reportedly impressed the Lakers' top brass. In three games in Las Vegas, Knecht averaged 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, hitting 39% of his threes on 7.7 attempts per game.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, this earned the 23-year-old sharpshooter a spot in the Lakers rotation to start next season.

"Barring a notable trade and/or signing, Knecht projects to be in the top nine of the Lakers rotation next season. That could be his floor, especially if he improves defensively."

- Jovan Buha, The Athletic

Buha reported that Knecht projects to be among the top nine in the rotation. As things stand now, D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves will likely be the starting backcourt with Rui Hachimura being the other starter next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and a backup center will likely be coming off the bench alongside Dalton Knecht.

That rotation projects to be light in shooting once again. Knecht fills an important need as the best off-ball player and shooter in that group. As long as he makes shots at a reasonable clip and gets guarded out there, he will make things easier for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Whether he can earn more minutes or crack the starting lineup will depend on how he fares on the defensive end.

Considering the significant defensive struggles of Russell and Reaves, it wouldn't take much for Knecht to take over one of their starting spots.

However, that is probably not the upgrade Lakers fans had in mind for this offseason. Regardless of the playing time Knecht gets, the fanbase desperately wants an upgrade over D'Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura and the clock is ticking for GM Rob Pelinka.

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