"Watched a lot of JJ Redick": Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht says it will be special to play under new HC
The JJ Redick era in LA began with Dalton Knecht's acquisition with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Knecht was widely considered a top-10 selection, but once he fell as low as 17, it was a no-brainer for Redick and the Lakers' brass to draft the Tennessee sharpshooter.
For many, it was the perfect fit under new coach Redick, who could be considered a player comparison for Knecht because of their skillset as movement shooters. The Tennessee prospect fueled that notion after revealing that he watched a lot of Redick during his college days.
“That’s really exciting," Knecht said. "At Tennessee, I watched a lot of JJ Redick (film) with (TEN) Coach Barnes, just the way (Redick) moves and paces himself, and was able to create space ... It’s going to be real special.”
Knecht entered the draft regarded as one of the instant impact players on a contender. With a new coach like Redick, who will closely monitor player development, the Tennessee sharpshooter couldn't have asked for a better mentor ahead of his debut NBA season.
Dalton Knecht, 23, spent three years in college basketball. He played his first two seasons with Northern Colorado before moving to Tennessee. He averaged 21.7 points and 4.9 rebounds, shooting 45.8%, including 39.7% from 3 in his final season on 6.5 attempts. Many ranked Knecht as one of the best small forwards in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Coach JJ Redick was already drawing up plays for Dalton Knecht
JJ Redick couldn't have picked a more JJ Redick pick as his first signing as the Lakers head coach. He was seemingly hyped to get his player as GM Rob Pelinka revealed Redick drew plays for Dalton Knecht shortly after the Lakers drafted him.
"I was joking with Coach Redick upstairs that, you know, we found a movement shooter to match his skills as a player, and he already had his whiteboard out drawing up pindowns and ATOs and actions where he could run a movement shooter off screens," Pelinka said.
The Lakers' internal mock draft board also had Knecht going top 10. Because of that, Knecht's agent never set up a workout with the team. However, Rob Pelinka already regarded him highly after watching him play.
Knecht also appeared to be a prospect that could help the Lakers immediately. The Lakers needed to draft a player like that after last year's failure with Jalen Hood-Schifino in the first round.
LA initially had trades in mind with the No. 17 pick, but with the new CBA, the team was limited in its quest to add immediate help, making the draft its only source. Dalton Knecht fills their need for an instant impact player as a tall perimeter threat from the wings who can guard the 2s and 3s and do a bit of ball-handling.