Dalton Knecht has experienced a challenging start to the California Classic, seeing his shooting touch evade him in the early summer league games. The Los Angeles Lakers' struggles mirrored those of Knecht, with a lopsided 92-68 defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors on Sunday exacerbating the pressing concerns.
Knecht, in his 22 minutes of play, managed to put up 12 points but did so on a difficult 3-of-13 shooting performance. This came on the heels of another tough outing on Saturday, where he finished 3-of-12 from the floor. Across his first two summer league appearances, Knecht has struggled to find his range, hitting just 13.3% of his jumpers, going 2-of-15 on such attempts.
Despite these early frustrations, Knecht has managed to make his presence felt in other areas. He has been able to get to the free-throw line 14 times over the two games and has converted 4-of-8 shots at the rim. His perseverance and hustle have been evident, even as his trademark shooting touch has yet to emerge.
Lakers’ summer league coach, Dane Johnson, remains unfazed by the early shooting woes of the Tennessee product. "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 stated.
Knecht himself is taking a measured approach, acknowledging his long layoff from competitive play since March. "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," Knecht remarked.
The Lakers and their fans had high expectations for Knecht, particularly given his impressive collegiate record. During his final season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points per game and shot an impressive 42.3% on catch-and-shoot three-pointers, according to Synergy Sports. His pre-draft evaluations reflected his potential, as he was a consensus top-10 pick before unexpectedly sliding out of the lottery on draft night.
With one more game left in the California Classic against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, the Lakers will be hoping that Knecht finds his shooting form and confidence. His ability to contribute as a scorer will be crucial for a team seeking to evaluate their young talent effectively ahead of the regular season.
Knecht’s journey is still in its infancy, and early struggles are not uncommon even for the most promising talents. His shooting prowess, as evidenced by his college career, is undeniable. The coming days and weeks will be about finding that rhythm and proving that he can translate his collegiate success to the professional stage.
As the Lakers continue to navigate the summer league, Knecht's development remains a focal point. His ability to persevere through this rocky start could very well define his early career with the Lakers, showcasing the kind of resilience that great players often exhibit in the face of adversity.
Watching Knecht’s trajectory will be compelling, as every shot taken and every game played in the Summer League will offer insights into his potential and readiness to compete at the NBA level. For now, patience, practice, and perseverance remain his greatest allies.