Video of LeBron James singing Dalton Knecht praises goes viral as Lakers draft Tennessee shooter
LA Lakers superstar LeBron James is apparently a fan of Dalton Knecht, who the Lakers selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. A video of LeBron praising the newly drafted player went viral following the selection.
Back in April, the Purdue Boilermakers, led by Zach Edey, faced Dalton Knecht and the Tennessee Volunteers in the NCAA Elite Eight. Edey was picked ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in this year's draft,
Both players performed exceptionally well in the game, and LeBron commented on the influence of star players on the popularity of college sports viewership.
"We watched that Purdue-Tennessee game because of Zach Edey and (Dalton) Knecht. Players — depending on who they are — will drive the attention when it comes to viewership," James said.
Both Edey and Knecht put on quite a show in the game. Edey scored 40 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, while Knecht contributed 37 points, including six three-pointers. Purdue defeated Tennessee, 72-66.
What are the Lakers getting in Dalton Knecht?
Dalton Knecht is an older rookie at 23 years old, with five years of college experience, making him a mature addition for the win-now Lakers.
His skillset aligns well with the team's needs. Dalton Knecht is a dynamic scorer and a proficient 3-point shooter. Standing at 6-foot-5, he shows flashes of being a taller version of JJ Redick, who is the new coach of the LA Lakers.
Knecht's shooting prowess includes running to the 3-point line and coming off screens. He can also create space off the dribble, making him a dual threat from long-range and as a slasher.
In college, he averaged 21.7 points per game while shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc on 6.5 attempts per game.
During the 2023-24 season, he had several huge performances. This included eight games with at least 30 points and a 40-point game against Kentucky in March, where he made six three-pointers.
Besides his scoring ability, Knecht has natural playmaking instincts. He is also an active cutter, promoting ball and player movement to prevent stagnant offense.
However, his defense is a weak point, as is common with many shooters. He needs to improve his lateral movement and adjust to the NBA's physicality.
The Lakers, as a team, need to enhance their defense. They finished with a 113.4 defensive rating last season, placing them in the middle of the league.