As Los Angeles Lakers wing Dalton Knecht experiences a painfully familiar twist of fate, Tim Hardaway Jr. could become an unlikely source of aid. A former teammate of Luka Doncic with the Dallas Mavericks, Hardaway epitomized everything Knecht should and shouldn't be focusing on.
If Knecht can learn from Hardaway's success and shortcomings, then he could realistically become a regular inclusion in the rotation again.
Hardaway played six seasons alongside Doncic [with the Dallas Mavericks](https://lakeshowlife.com/luka-doncic-gets-last-laugh-mavericks-finally-cut-ties-nico-harrison-lakers), thus revealing his unavoidable staying power. He also found himself on the outside looking in of consistent minutes during key playoff series, however, which fuels the dilemma at hand.
In many ways, it's a crystal clear reflection of how Knecht has gone from turning in explosive scoring performances to struggling to secure anywhere near 20 minutes of playing time.
Hardaway is a polarizing figure whose shot selection and inefficiency have made him an enemy of the analytics crowd. He was third on the Mavericks in scoring during the 2023-24 regular season, however, and still played double-digit minutes when the team reached the 2024 NBA Finals. Unfortunately, his minute count was cut drastically due to the flaws in his game.
As such, Hardaway can provide the blueprint to Knecht for what to do to earn Doncic's trust—as well as what pitfalls he must avoid to keep it.
Tim Hardaway Jr. can show Dalton Knecht what he should, shouldn't do
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Hardaway and Knecht are remarkably similar players in the sense that they've been typecast as something that isn't perfectly in line with their approach and skill set. Both are capable three-point shooters, with Knecht even displaying elite potential in that regard.
Hardaway and Knecht entered the NBA as scorers rather than pure shooters, however, and have thus been conditioned to need a different level of involvement to get into a rhythm.
At this best, Hardaway was the shot creating and floor spacing threat that Doncic needs along the wings. He could thrive in catch-and-shoot situations, with both volume and occasional displays of efficiency. He also utilized his athleticism and underrated handle to attack and finish inside.
The same can be said for Knecht, who already has two 30-point games on his résumé despite receiving limited minutes between his first two seasons with the Lakers.
Dalton Knecht is a scorer, not a pure shooter—but he needs to adapt
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Unfortunately, Hardaway and Knecht have encountered the same issue in their respective careers. They've been shoehorned into roles that ask them to focus on spacing rather than shot creation, and have thus been expected to develop a rhythm in ways they aren't particularly accustomed to.
Adaptability is an essential skill, however, and the Lakers desperately need Knecht to learn from where Hardaway arguably went astray while playing alongside Doncic.
Knecht can hone his craft, [making his jump shot his primary focus](https://lakeshowlife.com/klay-thompson-couldnt-look-worse-right-now-passing-lakers) at this stage to become a dependable option along the wings. That would make him an ideal fit on offense alongside ball-dominant playmakers such as Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
It would also benefit Knecht to improve defensively. At the very least, he needs a concrete understanding of the rotations that head coach JJ Redick expects him to execute with precision.
Knecht should ultimately find a role as a three-level scorer, whether that's as a starter or a reserve. Hardaway has done so across a 13-year career. While Hardaway was drafted to a subpar New York Knicks team that had an immediate spot for him, however, Knecht is playing for a contender.
Thankfully, Hardaway's tenure with the Mavericks as a veteran has provided Knecht with the blueprint for how to learn and adapt far earlier in his career.