Lakers’ rookie Dalton Knecht dishes on JJ Redick, what it’s like to play with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Bronny and more (Exclusive)
Normally, the Lakers’ rookie will not end a workout until he makes at least two backwards half-court shots. After completing his second day of training camp practice, however, Dalton Knecht conceded his marksmanship looked drastically different.
“It was broke today,” Knecht told Sportskeeda. “It was broke.”
A rare sighting for Knecht, whom the Lakers considered at steal at No. 17 after winning SEC Player of the Year during his senior year at Tennessee and shooting 39.7% from deep.
“He’s got a heater,” Lakers coach JJ Redick. Certainly so when Knecht finished seventh in Summer League in scoring (22 points per game) while connecting on 41% from his shots from 3-point range. Not so much in the Lakers’ practice on Wednesday.
After cementing a productive 16-year NBA career as a valued shooter and role player, Redick can relate to the unfamiliar feeling with seeing most shots clank off the rim. Yet, Redick still liked how Knecht practiced. Redick told Knecht “that his level of compete today was really high. Redick later told reporters later that “he has a high level of care.”
“He didn’t get down on himself with missing shots. He was super engaged,” Redick said. “It really showed in the last conditioning transition drill where in the second part of it, he was challenged to be the rabbit. That competitive nature came out. It was really cool to see.”
Knecht then spoke to Sportskeeda about his mindset as a shooter, how he wants to become a complete player and how he has made backwards half-court heaves. Knecht also delved into how Redick, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have influenced his game. Knecht also shared early impressions on what it’s like to practice with LeBron James and Anthony Davis as well as play with Bronny on the Lakers.
Dalton Knecht interview (Exclusive)
Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed.
How’s training camp been so far?
Dalton Knecht:
It’s been good. I’m learning where I need to be at with my position and my role. It’s been good. I’m just going out there and competing against those guys.”
So talking to JJ just now. He praised you and said even though your shot was necessarily falling as it normally does….
Dalton Knecht:
“It was broke today (laughs). It was broke.”
Oh yeah? Well, he said you still fought and competed through everything. What was your view on how everything played out?
Dalton Knecht:
“I don’t really care if I make my shots or not. I feel like I put a lot of hard work in. So I’m going to believe in my shot at all times. One thing that I can always do, regardless of how I shoot, is control my effort, defense and rebounding. I’m just communicating to my teammates and being there to space out the floor. It’s just that and learning and guarding my position and being ready and locked in on the defensive side.”
What enables you to have that mindset as a shooter?
Dalton Knecht:
“Having that mindset as a shooter is about trusting my craft. I work hard every single day on my shots. I know my teammates believe in my shots. It’s those two things, no matter what. If I put in the effort and they believe in me, you can always keep shooting. We all believe in each other’s shot when we shoot.”
What are the routines you find most helpful with your shooting?
Dalton Knecht:
“During the summer, I learned JJ’s warmup to his shots and to his workouts. So I implemented that one into mine. I’m kind of taking his stuff and making it into my own. Personally, me and my Dad [Corey] always shot 25 free throws right when I get in the gym. Then I do five [spots] around the hoop and get my form shots. Then I do tons of footwork from the midrange and to the three.
I feel like shooting is a skill that everybody wants and needs. JJ is a great shooter. I watched him in college with Coach [Rick] Barnes. Now I can ask him every single day if I have anything about my jump shot, workouts and footwork or anything. It’s super helpful. He always help me out, no matter what.”
You’ve said you studied JJ, KD and Book a lot. What things have you studied with all three of them, and how have you tried to incorporate that into your game?
Dalton Knecht:
“Watching JJ coming off screens and how he gets open when he was underneath the hoop and coming off off-ball screens and getting into his footwork and shot to get up and down and be able to hit that shot. With KD, I just watched a lot of his footwork and body control when he plays. With D Book, he has rhythm coming off screens and I see how low he gets and his dribble pullups around the elbow and in-the-paint shots.”
During your press conference after the draft, JJ said that part of his player development program entailed stressing to you about being open-minded and letting go of outcomes. How have you tried to adopt that?
Dalton Knecht:
“JJ’s player development [program] throughout the summer has been great, not just for me, but all for us young guys. The vets are now coming in and doing it now. It’s really good. JJ was a shooter, just like me. So he understands that you don’t ever want to miss, but when you miss, you kind of get upset when you’re a shooter. JJ kind of understands how my mind works.”
JJ also recently said on the “Lowe Post’ podcast that he told you that you’re in the “one percent” of shooters. How did that land with you?
Dalton Knecht:
“I think it’s cool that he said that. But also, I don’t want to be known as just a top ‘one percent shooter.’ I want to be known as an all-around basketball player. It’s a cool compliment, for sure, that Coach believes in me that I am a ‘one percent shooter.’ But I also want to be more than just a shooter. I want to be an all-around basketball player.”
What it will take to be that player starting with your rookie season?
Dalton Knecht:
“Staying confident and knowing your role and be relaxed. I’m a basketball player just like everybody else is on the floor. So I’m staying relaxed and going out there and competing.”
What did you think when you heard Rob [Pelinka] share the story that JJ was already drawing up plays for you shortly after the Lakers drafted you?
Dalton Knecht:
“I remember when I heard that. I thought it was really cool. They drafted me with full confidence. The pick was locked in quick. I got the phone call and it just shows that JJ and Rob have a lot of trust in me and have a lot of faith that I was the ‘steal of the draft,’or whatever they say. I think it’s really cool that they have the confidence and that JJ was excited to get me.”
I heard in a radio interview that you’re really looking forward toward seeing what it’s like to practice with LeBron and AD. What has stood out to you so far?
Dalton Knecht:
“Last week, I was in getting some shots up with ‘Bron and watching how he does his routine. I’m picking up his routine on a day-to-day basis. With AD out there, he’s really special. He’s really skilled at that height. What he does is special. It’s cool to be out there and watch them go out there and work and see their mindsets going into workouts. I noticed ‘Bron’s mindset and his preparation to begin the workout and his recovery after the workout. Whether it’s going into the cold tubs or cryo[therapy], he takes care of his body. He’s one of the greatest ever to play basketball. His longevity is crazy. He recovers his body really well. I’ve always wanted to learn from him and see how he does that.”
With you both being rookies, you’ve had a unique window with seeing how Bronny has handled all the attention on his play and his connection to his Dad. What jumps out to you with how he’s handled everything?
Dalton Knecht:
“Bronny, no matter what, is going to be himself. He never acts different. He always is who he is. He’s always had that spotlight on him, and I think he does great with that. He goes out and competes. Everyone believes in him that he made it here. You’re all going to see. He’s handled everything well. The questions are questions. Media Day was cool. As a kid, sometimes I’d watch that stuff. It was cool to be a part of that. Coming as a Laker, there’s a lot more than just a regular team. Being a Laker, you’re on a historic franchise. Then you got one of the greatest basketball players ever to play. It’s really cool. Having so many people come in every single day and seeing how many people there was at Media Day was crazy.”
You played in JUCO, then Northern Colorado, then Tennessee. The Lakers drafted you 17th after many mock drafts thought you’d be higher. In what ways have those experiences shaped you into how you are now?
Dalton Knecht:
“There’s just more motivation that those teams slipped and the Lakers had full belief in me. No matter what, I’m going to put in the work. But it’s extra motivation for me to even keep putting in more work. Just like when I was a kid in Southern Colorado trying to make a D-I team with all my guys out there [at Prairie View High School]. Nothing really changes. I’m staying who I am. I’m getting shots up in the gym. I try to take care of my body. I try to be the best overall team player that I can be.”
How do you approach the upcoming games when you face teams that could’ve drafted you and face opponents that were selected before you?
Dalton Knecht:
“I’m just going to go out and hoop. I’ll be who I am and do whatever the team needs to me to do. I’ll go out and compete. I’ll always have a chip on my shoulder, whether they drafted me or not. If I’m not on their team, I’ll have a chip no matter what. If I’m playing any team, I’m going to have a chip on my shoulder because that’s who I am.”
With the journey you outlined, what do you think were the notable turning points?
Dalton Knecht:
“I had a really good supporting cast. I don’t talk about that too much. My Dad (Corey) has always been there. I can go to him about basketball and about anything. He sees the floor. He was a college player at [at Mayville State], and he’s also my Dad so I could always go to him. He was there. My mom (Carrie) is my rock. If I had any stuff, I can always go to them. I also have really good friends that I keep a close circle.
Me and my Dad, I’m not in Colorado often. But if I’m ever there, we usually get in the gym and get a ton of shots up and work out. I don’t have to work out by himself. I have someone I can work out with, just like when I was a kid. My mom helped more with off-court stuff. We’d go out and get some food or something. She was born in California. When she gets here, I’ll take her to the beach. That’s one thing that I like to do – hang out with my family and friends. My friends will come out here soon and probably for my first game. I’ll go hang out with them and get some dinner.
When you’ve had shooting contests with your Dad or anyone else, what have been the craziest shots you’ve made?
Dalton Knecht:
“I’m not going to lie. My best H-O-R-S-E shot is a backwards half-court shot. I’m low-key cash at that. I don’t know how it happened. It happened in junior college. The first time, I made three in a row. I kept doing that every single day. I wouldn’t leave the gym until I made two. So I kind of got good at that. I’ve been practicing it forever.”