The Los Angeles Lakers were forced to use Dalton Knecht early in the first quarter on Saturday night against the Clippers, and announcer Stu Lantz was quick to point out that the 2024 first-round draft pick’s struggles are mostly mental. The 24-year-old has certainly not been living up to his potential.
Knecht was averaging 6.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 14.6 minutes per game coming into the contest against the LA Clippers. He rated as a replacement level by VORP and well below league average by win shares per 48 minutes. Not what the Lakers hoped for after drafting an older rookie.