Lakers’ Roster Issues Hampering Dalton Knecht’s Development

The Los Angeles Lakers’ early-season struggles in the 2024-25 NBA season have revealed glaring flaws in their roster construction, and unfortunately, rookie Dalton Knecht has become a victim of these shortcomings. For an organization that has long de-emphasized the NBA Draft as a key developmental tool, Knecht’s emergence presents a rare opportunity for growth. However, the team’s flawed structure is limiting his ability to thrive.

Promising Rookie Start

Knecht has shown immense promise in his debut season. Across 26 games, including 12 starts, he’s averaging:

• 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists,
• Shooting splits: 46.8% FG, 37.6% 3PT, 71.4% FT.
  When expanded to per-36 minutes, his numbers jump to 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.9 three-pointers made, solidifying his status as an impactful contributor.

Even more impressively, the Lakers have been 1.1 points better per 100 possessions when Knecht is on the floor. Despite his performance, Knecht has struggled to secure consistent minutes—a reflection of the Lakers’ deeper roster issues.

Defensive Struggles Costing Knecht Minutes

Lakers head coach JJ Redick has stated his preference for a defensive-minded fifth starter to complement the core of Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. This makes sense on paper, given the group’s lackluster defensive performance.

According to Cleaning the Glass, this four-man unit ranks in the 36th percentile in defensive rating, making it one of the league’s weaker defensive lineups. Knecht, while showing potential as a two-way player, cannot be expected to fix these defensive shortcomings single-handedly—especially as a rookie.

Bench Role Dampening Knecht’s Impact

The Lakers’ decision to prioritize covering defensive gaps has relegated Knecht to a bench role, despite the evidence that he excels as a starter. His splits highlight the stark contrast in performance:

• As a starter: 14.3 points, 39.3% 3PT.
• As a reserve: 7.4 points, 34.7% 3PT.

This shift not only diminishes Knecht’s impact but also hinders his development, as he’s forced to adapt to a diminished role due to the veterans’ inability to uphold defensive standards.

Structural Issues Hurting Player Development

The Lakers’ roster construction continues to place undue pressure on young players like Knecht to address systemic flaws created by the veterans. Injuries to key defensive players like Jarred Vanderbilt and the slow progression of Max Christie exacerbate the issue, but the root problem lies in the team’s inability to balance offensive firepower with defensive reliability.

By punishing Knecht for not solving problems that should be addressed by more experienced teammates, the Lakers risk falling into a familiar pattern of squandering young talent.

What’s Next for Knecht and the Lakers?

For Knecht to secure a more prominent role, he’ll need to continue improving on defense, but the onus shouldn’t solely be on him. The Lakers must consider shuffling their starting lineup to address their defensive woes, rather than relying on a rookie to fill the gaps.

Unless significant changes are made, Knecht’s impressive potential as a starter may remain overshadowed by the Lakers’ ongoing effort to mask the flaws of their veteran core.