Dalton Knecht has encountered early struggles in finding his shooting touch during the California Classic. The Los Angeles Lakers, featuring new talent, saw a formidable Golden State Warriors side dismantle them 92-68 on Sunday, further highlighting Knecht's ongoing battle with accuracy.
In his 22 minutes on the court, Knecht managed a total of 12 points but struggled to gain traction, going 3-of-13 from the field. This followed a similarly challenging Saturday performance where he finished 3-of-12. Collectively, Knecht's shootings spell a concerning pattern, hitting only 2-of-15 on jump shots over his first two games — translating to just 13.3% accuracy.
Despite his shooting woes, there are glimmers of hope. Knecht has shown aggression in getting to the free-throw line, totaling 14 attempts across the two matches, and has proven somewhat effective closer to the basket, converting 4-of-8 shots at the rim.
Knecht's struggle in the California Classic comes as a contrast to his stellar collegiate season at Tennessee, where he averaged an impressive 21.7 points per game. He was particularly noted for his proficiency from long range, hitting 42.3% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, according to Synergy Sports. These college statistics seem a distant memory amidst his initial summer league performances.
The Lakers' summer league coach, Dane Johnson, retains his confidence in Knecht's abilities, urging patience. "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 commented.
Knecht was a player of significant interest leading up to the draft, consistently listed as a consensus top-10 pick. However, he experienced a slide on draft night, eventually falling out of the lottery. This unexpected drop has added another layer of complexity to his transition to professional play.
Reflecting on his early performances, Knecht cited rust and adjustment as key factors. "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 shared.
As the Lakers prepare for their final game in the California Classic against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, all eyes will be on Knecht to see if he can rediscover his groove. With a promising collegiate career behind him and evident flashes of talent, both the Lakers' management and fans will be hoping that with continued patience, Knecht can meet the high expectations placed upon him and translate his college success to the professional courts.