LeBron James was full of praise for Lakers pick Dalton Knecht, 2 months before draft

Dalton Knecht is a spot up shooter, 3-level scorer and great athlete who fits the bill for the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron James was full of praise for Lakers pick Dalton Knecht, 2 months before draft

LeBron James was full of praise for Los Angeles Lakers pick and now former Tennessee star Dalton Knecht, 2 months before draft

Going into the 2024 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers were in a dilemma. After the New Orleans Pelicans deferred their preference, the Lakers were stuck with the 17th pick in a draft that was questionably weak. However, they did have needs along the roster. Most importantly in the form of a spot-up shooter. After waiting for much of the night, they eventually selected Dalton Knecht. A player who not only fits that profile but was also highly revered by LeBron James a while ago.

After a game against the Washington Wizards on April 3rd, LeBron James was asked about the Elite Eight matchup between Tennessee and Purdue. The all-time leading scorer said:

You’re gonna watch Purdue because of Zach Edey, because he’s a great player. We watched that Purdue-Tennessee game because of Zach Edey and Knecht. Players, depending on who they are, will drive attention when it comes to viewership.

LeBron James after a game against the Washington Wizards on April 3rd

Suggesting that the 4-time champion watched the Elite Eight matchup for Dalton Knecht and not just Edey. This shows that James was already appreciative of the Tennessee star’s game.

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It seems the judgment of their leading superstar might have been taken into consideration. After all, Knecht went on to score 37 points in a valiant effort against Edey’s Purdue. That effort and that off the season landed him alongside one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

Dalton Knecht solves the Los Angeles Lakers‘ need for a spot-up shooter. But they also get an elite interior scorer who is as athletic as he needs to be. More importantly, he is considered so far to be the steal of the Draft. The Lakers got a top 10-12 player at No. 17.

JJ Redick already excited to coach Dalton Knecht

News of the pick was already sending social media on fire. However, the Athletic’s Jovan Buha revealed this through his official X account;

Rob Pelinka said coach JJ Redick immediately began drawing up pindowns and ATO sets on a whiteboard for Knecht for next season.

Athletic’s Jovan Buha via X

Naturally, as a Lakers beat writer, Buha gets to talk to Rob Pelinka regularly. But to know that new head coach JJ Redick is already drawing up plays for Knecht is mind-blowing.

In many ways, Rob Pelinka seems to have drafted his new head coach’s copy in Dalton Knecht. The only difference is that the new rookie is a far better athlete than Redick was. But more importantly, Redick will be able to gameplan using Knecht in many situations. His ability to score will go a long way in helping LeBron James.

Now it will be up to JJ Redick to coach him up on the defensive end and make him an all-around great player. If all that happens, LeBron James will be the happiest person out on the court.

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