Dalton Knecht, a player with significant promise, has encountered a rocky start during the California Classic. Despite his past accolades and potential, Knecht is experiencing difficulties finding his rhythm as he adjusts to the professional scene.
In their latest game, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a tough loss against the Golden State Warriors, ending with a lopsided score of 92-68. Knecht managed to put up 12 points, but his shooting efficiency was far from desirable, hitting only 3-of-13 from the field in his 22 minutes on the court. This follows a similar performance the previous day, where he finished 3-of-12, highlighting a rather shaky start to his summer league experience.
Knecht's shooting woes are particularly evident from distance, as he has managed just 2-of-15 on jumpers across his first two games, translating to a mere 13.3% accuracy. These figures are a stark contrast to his collegiate years at Tennessee, where he averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game and nailed 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, according to Synergy Sports.
Despite these struggles, Knecht continues to demonstrate his ability to draw fouls and reach the free-throw line. Over his two games, he accumulated 14 free throw attempts and successfully converted 50% of his shots at the rim, making 4-of-8 in those situations.
Knecht's shift from being a consensus top-10 draft pick to sliding out of the lottery shows the unpredictability and pressures of the professional basketball landscape. His challenges in the California Classic may be indicative of the adjustment period facing many rookies transitioning from college to the NBA.
Lakers' summer league coach, Dane Johnson, remains optimistic about Knecht's potential, emphasizing patience. "Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come. He's a great player, so I'm not worried about him missing some of the shots he's taking. He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it," Johnson remarked.
Knecht himself is aware of the need to regain his footing and confidence. Reflecting on his performance, he noted, "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting. … Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot."
The California Classic presents an ongoing opportunity for Knecht to recalibrate and showcase the prowess that made him a standout in college basketball. With one game remaining against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, eyes will be on Knecht to see if he can bounce back and display the form that has been expected of him. For both Knecht and the Lakers, this game could serve as a crucial moment of development before heading into the more grueling aspects of the NBA season.