Lakers’ Strong Season Start
The Los Angeles Lakers continued their impressive season start with a hard-fought 131-127 victory over the Sacramento Kings, marking their third consecutive win. While Anthony Davis and LeBron James delivered standout performances, head coach JJ Redick also praised rookie Dalton Knecht for his clutch play.
Dalton Knecht’s Immediate Impact
In just 20 minutes on the court, the 23-year-old rookie contributed 10 timely points, showcasing his NBA readiness despite being a No. 17 pick. At 6’6″, Knecht has already logged 49 minutes over three games, with Redick gradually increasing his playing time. The Lakers’ new offensive style and Knecht’s impressive 41.7% from beyond the arc are proving to be a perfect match. Before the game, in a pre-warm-up moment, Redick casually asked, “Ready to shoot?” Knecht’s cool response: “Always ready.”
With such a successful start after three games, the Lakers’ main lineup could soon be solidified—and if Knecht keeps up his form, he may find a permanent place in it.
Dalton Knecht: A Rookie of the Year Contender?
Drafted from Tennessee after stints with Northeastern JC (2019–2021) and Northern Colorado (2021–2023), Knecht, despite his low draft ranking, impressed heavily in preseason. At 23, he is one of the older rookies, but his maturity and experience are proving to be assets for the Lakers.
Averaging 7.7 points per game with a 50% FG rate in 16.3 minutes, Redick may look to boost Knecht’s minutes, anticipating even greater offensive output. In a year where the draft didn’t yield many breakout names, Knecht has a real shot at contending for Rookie of the Year if he keeps delivering on this early promise.
