When the Los Angeles Lakers selected Dalton Knecht at No. 17 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, most agreed it was a steal of a pick. Knecht was the reigning SEC Player of the Year, making his name as an explosive scoring threat and lights-out shooter capable of making defenders pay for even the slightest of mistakes.
Knecht has struggled to receive consistent playing time during his first season in the NBA, but he's already proven capable of translating those abilities.
Knecht has been instant offense for the Lakers throughout the 2024-25 regular season. He's averaged 9.5 points and 1.7 three-point field goals made in just 20.6 minutes per game, shooting at an impressive clip for a rookie at .464/.364/.753.
For what it's worth: Knecht's averages translate to 16.2 points and 3.0 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Deserving of an All-Rookie nod, Knecht has made the most of the minutes he's received. He's finished at all three levels, balancing his marksmanship from beyond the arc with the ability to take a defender off the bounce, pull up from midrange, or even go all the way and finish at or above the rim.
In the process, Knecht has thoroughly established himself as an essential source of the offense that the second unit has generally struggled to produce.
Dalton Knecht is the Lakers' best source of bench scoring
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Los Angeles' second unit has been excellent defensively, allowing just 49.8 points per 100 possessions in 2024-25. That ranks No. 4 in the Association, which seemingly implies the bench has been a strength.
Unfortunately, the Lakers' second unit also ranks No. 29 in bench points per game and No. 28 in second unit points per 100 possessions.
Faced with that reality, Knecht has stepped up and provided the Lakers with the offense they've needed. He's not only averaged 16.2 points per 100 possessions, but has managed to become a reliable source of explosive performances when the situation calls for it.
Knecht has produced two 30-point games, six outings with at least 20, and 28 during which he's scored a minimum of 10 during his rookie season.
Knecht has taken his game to another level in March, thriving as starters Rui Hachimura and LeBron James have battled injuries. He's averaged 14.3 points and 2.7 three-point field goals made in 25.7 minutes per game, which translates to 20.1 points and 3.7 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Knecht has scored at least 10 points in seven of his nine appearances in March, including the 32 he dropped against the Denver Nuggets and the 19 he tallied in a win over the LA Clippers.
With the postseason just over the horizon, Knecht is making a statement at the perfect time of year. His role has been somewhat in flux throughout the 2024-25 campaign, but he seems to be eliminating doubt about his fit in the rotation just as the pressure is mounting.
Hachimura and James [returning to the lineup](https://lakeshowlife.com/is-lebron-james-playing-lakers-rival-denver-nuggets-mar-19) could negatively impact Knecht's minutes, but he's already proven ready and willing to step up as the bench's best scoring threat.