Dalton Knecht's struggle to find his shooting rhythm has been one of the main storylines of the California Classic summer league thus far. In Sunday’s game, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Golden State Warriors 92-68, with Knecht contributing 12 points on just 3-of-13 shooting over 22 minutes of play. This follows a Saturday performance where he finished 3-of-12 from the floor. Through his first two summer league games, Knecht is a mere 2-of-15 on jumpers, translating to a paltry 13.3% accuracy.
There’s no denying the challenge Knecht faces as he transitions from a stellar college career to the professional ranks. In his final season at Tennessee, he averaged 21.7 points per game and was devastatingly effective behind the arc, hitting 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, as noted by Synergy Sports.
Adapting to the Professional Arena
Knecht's performance during the summer league has undoubtedly suffered in comparison to his collegiate days. He has managed to get to the free-throw line 14 times across the two games and has successfully converted 4-of-8 shots at the rim. Nevertheless, these numbers indicate a stark contrast to his potent offensive form at Tennessee.
Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson remains optimistic about Knecht’s potential. "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 remarked, accentuating the patience and support the coaching staff has for Knecht.
Perspectives from the Player
Knecht himself acknowledges the difficulty of his current transition. "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," he said, reflecting both on his struggle and his determination to stay persistent.
Knecht’s shooting woes may be a temporary setback as he acclimates to the faster pace and increased competition of the NBA. While his scoring output has been less than stellar, his ability to get to the free-throw line and sporadic flashes of his scoring prowess offer causes for future optimism.
Road Ahead
While Dalton Knecht's initial outings in the California Classic haven't replicated the dominant form he showed at Tennessee, the upcoming game against the Miami Heat might just offer him the opportunity to find his groove. The Lakers are scheduled to face the Heat on Wednesday, the final game in this stretch that could serve as a turning point for Knecht.
Drafted as a consensus top-10 pick before sliding out of the lottery on draft night, Knecht's trajectory highlights both the unpredictability and the promise of young talent trying to break into the NBA. As he continues to adjust and refine his play, the Lakers and their fans will look forward to seeing more of the brilliance that brought him to prominence in college basketball.