Dalton Knecht came into Summer League with plenty of hype, but his performance in the Lakers’ 89-84 loss to the Warriors left fans more worried than reassured. Despite reports of Knecht putting in extra work with new head coach JJ Redick, the second-year guard struggled mightily in the California Classic opener.
Knecht tallied 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, but the numbers don’t tell the full story. The Lakers’ hopeful shot just 3-of-13 from the floor and missed all six of his three-point attempts, finishing with a team-worst -13 plus/minus.
What stings more is that Knecht couldn’t separate himself from Summer League-level competition. As a player who logged real NBA minutes last season, expectations were higher for the 2024 first-round pick. His inability to dominate against mostly unproven talent has raised legitimate doubts about his readiness for a bigger role with the Lakers.
Of course, it’s just one game, and even established players can have off nights — especially in the often-chaotic Summer League setting. But with the Lakers watching closely to see signs of development, Knecht’s opening performance left fans and the front office hoping he’ll bounce back quickly in upcoming games.
Lakers’ Dalton Knecht Falters in Summer League Opener, Raises Concerns
