Dalton Knecht, a promising young talent recently secured by the Los Angeles Lakers, has faced a rough initiation into the 2023 California Classic. The Lakers suffered a significant defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, ending with a scoreline of 92-68 on Sunday, adding pressure to Knecht, who is still searching for his rhythm.
Knecht put up 12 points during his 22 minutes on the court, but his shooting efficiency was a concern, connecting on just 3-of-13 shots. This follows a challenging performance on Saturday, where he finished 3-of-12 from the floor. The numbers compound into an overall 2-of-15 on jump shots over the first two games, translating to a mere 13.3% shooting accuracy.
Despite these statistics, there are signs of his scoring potential. Knecht managed to get to the free-throw line 14 times across both games and successfully converted four out of eight attempts at the rim. In his final collegiate season at Tennessee, Knecht was a standout performer, averaging an impressive 21.7 points per game and showcasing his aptitude as a sharpshooter by hitting 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, according to Synergy Sports.
Knecht's dip in form has come as a surprise to many, considering his pedigree as a consensus top-10 draft pick before sliding out of the lottery on draft night. Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson remains optimistic about Knecht's abilities, emphasizing patience. "Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come. He's a great player, so I'm not worried about him missing some of the shots he's taking. He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it," Johnson noted.
Knecht himself acknowledged the challenges of rediscovering his rhythm after a hiatus from competitive play. "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting. … Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot," Knecht stated. His determination and positive mindset could be pivotal as he continues to adapt and improve throughout the summer league.
With one game remaining in the California Classic, Knecht has another opportunity to showcase his talent and refine his match fitness against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Whether he manages to find his touch by then remains to be seen, but his track record and the support from the Lakers’ coaching staff suggest that it's only a matter of time before he settles in and starts delivering consistent performances.