Struggles on the court have marked the early summer league for Dalton Knecht, a player once seen as a top-10 draft pick before sliding out of the lottery on draft night. His recent performances at the California Classic have given the Lakers' hopeful fans reason for concern.
On Sunday, the Lakers faced a resounding defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, ending the game with a 92-68 loss. Knecht, who managed to score 12 points, was a shadow of the sharpshooter he was at Tennessee, converting only 3-of-13 of his attempts during his 22 minutes on the court. The previous day painted a similar story, with Knecht finishing 3-of-12.
The numbers reveal a stark struggle: Knecht is just 2-of-15 on his jump shots through the first two summer league games, a meager 13.3% shooting accuracy. Despite these setbacks, Knecht has shown flashes of his college prowess, getting to the free-throw line 14 times over the two games and converting 4-of-8 shots at the rim.
Transitioning from his final collegiate season at Tennessee, where he averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game and hit 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, has proven challenging for the young guard. His initial summer league performance has been inconsistent, at odds with the player who was once a consensus top-10 pick. Yet, his potential hasn't gone unnoticed by his coaching staff.
"Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come," said Dane Johnson, the Lakers’ summer league coach. Johnson's faith in Knecht's abilities remains unwavering, despite the poor shooting performances. "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."
Knecht, too, remains optimistic. The young guard acknowledges the challenge of finding his rhythm after not playing since March. "Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting," Knecht shared. Reflecting on advice from his father, he added, "Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot."
Adjusting to the pace and pressure of summer league games can take time, especially for a player who hasn't been in competitive action for months. For Knecht, these games not only represent a stepping stone in his professional journey but also a moment to meld with new teammates and adapt to a higher level of play.
The Lakers have one more game left in the California Classic, facing the Miami Heat on Wednesday. As they approach this matchup, all eyes will focus on whether Knecht can bounce back and showcase the talent that made him a standout at Tennessee.
While early summer league jitters are not uncommon, they underscore the transition challenges faced by many rookies. For Dalton Knecht, the road ahead is about perseverance, continuing to take the shots, and trusting in the process as he aims to carve out his place in the NBA.