The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to see a sophomore leap from Dalton Knecht, their 17th overall pick from the 2024 NBA Draft. The sharpshooter from Tennessee had an uneven rookie campaign, shooting 43.9% from beyond the arc between October and November and 42.7% from deep between March and April, but only 28.5% in the months in between.
Knecht’s showing at the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League did not inspire much confidence either, but that was explained by both him and the Lakers. The second-year wing put in so much work in the weeks after the season ended, that he was burnt out by the time the summer came around.