The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Dalton Knecht with the 17th overall pick in 2024, but he is quickly turning into an absolute bust. The 6’6 wing got off to a promising start as a rookie, but things fell apart after LA traded him to Charlotte in a later rescinded deal. He struggled to get consistent minutes and remains a trade candidate as the Lakers look to build a serious title contender around Luka Doncic.
Knecht is not a teenager. He played five years of college basketball and turned 24 in April. The 6’6 wing is quickly running out of time to prove he belongs. A nightmare summer league only added to the questions and has the Lakers’ decision-makers contemplating his future.
Knecht’s summer league struggles were even more concerning. It is one thing to have issues as a rookie in the NBA, but his disappointing showing against his peers created more questions. His defense is problematic, and there is not much to get excited about beyond his shooting. Without other contributions, Knecht will struggle to get minutes on a contending roster.
Dalton Knecht is quickly becoming a draft bust
The pressure is on. The Lakers need shooting, and Knecht is one of their best marksman. He must grab a rotation role this season and run with it. It won’t be easy after LA added Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia, but the 24-year-old must make it happen. If not, he likely never will.
The Lakers certainly hoped to see more in summer league. In the brief six-game sample, Knecht had a negative assist-to-turnover ratio and was constantly making defensive mistakes. He shot just 23.7 percent from 3-point range to cap the nightmare performance.
The Lakers are not worried about his shooting, but everything else is a problem. He had defensive questions coming into the draft, and all of those have been proven valid. Scouts thought his offense and size would outweigh them, but it isn’t happening. Knecht is struggling to make reads, move the ball, and provide anything other than floor spacing.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie notes that Knecht’s trade value has dropped to two second-round draft picks. That is not a positive for someone who was drafted 17th just over one year ago. If he struggles to get minutes this season, it will only dip further.
Knecht should be entering his prime, and that is quickly becoming a problem for the Lakers. It is difficult to call a first-round pick who can’t lock down a consistent role anything other than a bust. Knecht isn’t there yet, but the time is coming fast. Sadly, there are no signs of improvement for fans to get excited about.
The Los Angeles Lakers are all-in on building a championship roster around Luka Doncic. They don’t have the time or patience to put up with Dalton Knecht’s mistakes. Things are quickly turning toward bust status for the 24-year-old. He must change the course now or be stuck with this fate. Consider it a make-or-break season.