Lakers are thrilled to be thrilled Dalton Knecht pick – ‘Extraordinary value’ – ESPN
The Lakers were delighted to pick All-American Dalton Knecht with the number. 17 pick. They expressed shock that he wasn’t available.
By Dave McMenamin
Jun 27, 2024 04:08 AM
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers selected Dalton Knecht out of Tennessee with the No. 17 pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft, the first consensus All-American drafted by L.A. since taking Lonzo Ball No. 2 in 2017.
“In my opinion there’s no way a player of this is available to us during draft time,” said Lakers vice head of basketball operations as well as director of operations Rob Pelinka. “Across all the boards, I could not be more pleased.”
Knecht 23 averaged 21.7 points while shooting 49.9 percent shooting (39.7 percent from 3) during his one season playing for the Volunteers following the start of his college professional career with Northeastern Junior College in Colorado and then playing for two seasons with Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Conference. The wing, who is 6 feet 5 inches tall and 212 pounds, was the one who led Tennessee into the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament in March and scored 37 points in the elimination round against the No. 1-seeded Purdue.
It was reported that the SEC Player of the Year was set to be selected to No. 6, to join the Charlotte Hornets in ESPN’s mock draft that was released shortly before the first round. Pelinka claimed that the Lakers were stunned Knecht was still available following the fact that their draft board placed Knecht in the top 10.
“If we been given the 10th pick in the draft we would have picked the guy,” Pelinka said. “So getting the value of 17 is really remarkable.”
Knecht claimed that his draft night experience mirrored his basketball background. As a senior in high school He did not receive any scholarship offer from Division I college scholarship.
“Every when I step on the ball or enter an exercise facility, I feel like I’ve got something to prove. And no matter the place I’m located there, I’ll always be there and leave that itch on my shoulder because I feel as if I’ve been a victim of apathy throughout my existence,” Knecht told reporters in New York’s Barclays Center after being drafted. “So it’s going to remain a part of me throughout the course of my life.”
The Knecht selection is the first major decision made by the Lakers franchise since JJ Redick was appointed as the team’s first coach. Pelinka stated that Knecht’s skills as a shooter who moves remind his of Redick as an athlete.
Redick According to Pelinka immediately began making plays in the direction of Knecht using the chalkboards in the Lakers draft room following the team submitted its selection for the draft.
“That’s an amazing thing,” Knecht told reporters when he was informed of Redick’s response. “At Tennessee, I watched many of JJ Redick’s games with Coach [Rick”Rick” Barnes and how Redick moves and paces himself and is in a position to create space. And, after hearing that, it’s amazing, and it’s likely be truly special.”
Lakers player LeBron James has given Knecht an opportune shoutout during a discussion about the rising popularity of women’s basketball in the early part of April. L.A. played at the Washington Wizards a couple of days after the Tennessee tournament had concluded.
“We saw that game between Tennessee and Purdue due to Zach Edey and Knecht,” James said at the time. “Players according to their identity will attract interest of the number of viewers.”
Knecht admitted that he was hesitant to believe that what James claimed to be real when he first watched the video.
“I recall that video,” Knecht told reporters. “I got up and went to my bed and believed it was fake since many people were messaging me. I was like”There’s no way.’ When I saw that video, it made me smile on my face. My parents too immediately called me after and informed me about the video.
“So this is going to be a special experience. It’s going to be fun on the court with them both,” Anthony Davis] and Bron. Bron is one of the best. It’s likely to be truly special.”
While Pelinka definitely was happy about how the night turned out with his squad, Pelinka also admitted that L.A. had canvassed the league in the lead up the Wednesday night game but without success. The Lakers had three draft picks, including this season’s No. 17 available for inclusion in any deal that could be made.
“We looked at every improvement we could think of to enhance our team’s performance,” Redick said. “I do believe that if we asked all of the 30 GMs all over the country, all over the world trades have become more complicated due to this new CBA system. So, there’s less opportunity to make those major moves as there was under the previous system. However, it didn’t stop us from looking at everything and to create ways for us to become more effective. However, even this one choice feels like it will give us a major increase in our confidence, and we’re thrilled about this.”
Draft round two will take place on Thursday. The Lakers own pick number. 55.