In the realm of sports, a common adage holds that a player should not lose their position due to injury, particularly in the case of a short-lived setback. This has become particularly relevant for the Los Angeles Lakers, as Rui Hachimura’s recent ankle sprain has not only sidelined him for a week but could also shift the dynamics of the season significantly.
During Hachimura’s absence, rookie Dalton Knecht has seized the opportunity, establishing himself as one of basketball’s premier shooters. Over the course of his last three games, Knecht racked up an impressive 88 points, showcasing stellar shooting statistics: 28-of-46 overall and a remarkable 16-of-26 from beyond the arc. In a thrilling clash against the Utah Jazz, Knecht’s standout performance included a staggering 37 points and a tie for the rookie record with nine three-pointers in a single game. Remarkably, he scored 22 consecutive points for the Lakers in the second half alone.
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Lakers Rookie Dalton Knecht Dazzles with 9 Three-Pointers in Dominant Display
This kind of three-point prowess has been somewhat of a missing element for the Lakers in the era defined by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Having clinched a championship with a below-par half-court offense, last season saw the Lakers attempt the third-fewest three-pointers in the league. To address this, hiring former elite shooter JJ Redick as head coach was a strategic move aimed at orchestrating an offensive shift to enhance spacing. This season, the Lakers are showing gradual improvement, rising from 28th to 23rd in 3-point attempt rate, and the emergence of Knecht is propelling them further into the modern game.
Redick was quick to devise plays for Knecht post-draft, immediately recognizing his potential. However, the challenge for any rookie in a less-utilized role is finding a groove. Knecht thrived as the central figure in Tennessee’s offensive setup and has excelled when given substantial playing time. To date, he has logged over 20 minutes in seven games, shooting a whopping 53.1% from beyond the arc in those instances. In contrast, he’s shooting only 31.6% in games where he plays fewer than 20 minutes.
Finding a balance between rhythm and fitting in with the team is critical. A shooter like Knecht elevates the performance of his teammates while simultaneously benefiting from playing alongside stars like James and Davis. This makes it trickier for opposing defenses to allocate their resources, allowing Knecht to thrive. While Hachimura also poses a threat as a shooter, his lower volume limits his effectiveness. His knack for using the threat of his jump shot to carve out better looks near the basket is more beneficial as a bench player than when sharing the court with James, Davis, and Austin Reaves, especially since D’Angelo Russell has been sidelined from the starting lineup.
Although the Lakers could explore playing Huguch and Knecht together, adjustments may be needed due to their perimeter defense concerns, even with the presence of Cam Reddish starting. With Knecht, Hachimura, and Reaves not shining defensively, the burden would fall heavily on Davis, who excels defensively. Relying on him to mitigate the deficiencies of the others could lead to foul trouble or fatigue.
Presently, Knecht appears to be more seamlessly integrated into the Lakers’ scheme, particularly alongside the starters. The team has long sought a shooter of this caliber, and now, it’s up to Coach Redick to make the most of Knecht’s talent, ensuring he receives ample minutes and shot opportunities moving forward.
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