As the offseason progresses, the Los Angeles Lakers made a strong move by drafting Dalton Knecht, a projected top-10 pick from Tennessee who surprisingly fell to them at No. 17 in the 2024 NBA Draft.
With JJ Redick stepping in as the new head coach, he plans to introduce a system that aligns with modern NBA strategies. In his introductory press conference, Redick emphasized his intention for the Lakers to increase their 3-point shooting, having ranked last in attempts last season.
Drafting Knecht is a key part of this strategy. The 23-year-old, who shot 39.7% from beyond the arc, is regarded by Redick as the best movement shooter in his draft class.
“Being in the draft room was an incredible experience,” Redick said. “We didn’t expect Dalton to be available at 17, but he offers something unique with his movement shooting and ability to play off the dribble. He was highly ranked on our draft board and can score at all three levels. He has great size, and there are many exciting aspects about coaching him.”
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis nearing the end of their time together, the Lakers aim to develop Knecht and Bronny James to provide support. Redick believes both can help create space for the team’s stars.
“In today’s NBA, surrounding your best players with shooters is crucial,” Redick noted. “Spacing is essential, and many plays happen outside of a coach’s control. It’s important to have players who can read and react, and both Dalton and Bronny have that ability and can shoot well.”
As the 2024-25 season approaches, it will be interesting to see how much playing time Knecht and Bronny receive. Knecht, being more NBA-ready, has a good chance to earn a spot in Redick’s rotation thanks to his 3-point shooting prowess.
