At a time when the Los Angeles Lakers needed a stroke of good fortune, they got some in last year's NBA draft in the form of Dalton Knecht, the University of Tennessee sharpshooter they took with the No. 17 pick. Many expected Knecht to be one of the first 10 players taken, and when he was still available at No. 17, it was a no-brainer decision for the Lakers.
He dealt with an up-and-down rookie season, during which he was in and out of the rotation and almost left the team. He was included in that attempted trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams that was rescinded when Williams failed his physical.