Where Dalton Knecht Ranks in the NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings ?

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht has experienced an up-and-down start to his NBA career, but the flashes of brilliance he’s shown have kept him in the conversation for Rookie of the Year (ROY) honors. Despite stiff competition in a wide-open field, Knecht remains one of the league’s most intriguing first-year players.

Knecht’s Rookie Journey So Far

Knecht entered the NBA with momentum after a spectacular season at Tennessee, where he was named SEC Player of the Year and a First-Team All-American, leading the Volunteers to the Elite Eight. However, concerns about his age (23) caused him to slip to the 17th pick in the draft—a decision the Lakers are now glad other teams made.

The rookie swingman had a shaky start to the season, averaging 6.1 points in 16.8 minutes over his first 10 games. However, injuries to key players like Rui Hachimura opened the door for Knecht, who stepped up in a big way.

In late November, Knecht had a breakout stretch, averaging 19 points and playing over 31 minutes per game. This included a career-high 37-point game against the Jazz, in which he hit 9-of-12 from three-point range.

Despite this surge, Knecht’s form has cooled in December, with only one double-digit scoring game so far this month. This inconsistency has seen him drop in recent ROY power rankings.

Rookie Power Rankings Overview

Here’s where Knecht stands in recent Rookie of the Year rankings:

NBA.com’s Kia Rookie Ladder: 6th, Jared McCain (76ers) remains the frontrunner, followed by Stephon Castle (Spurs) and Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies). Knecht’s position reflects a quiet week in which his impact was overshadowed by more consistent rookies.

Yves Missi (Pelicans) and Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks) round out the top five.

USA Today’s Rookie Rankings (as of Dec. 5): 2nd, Knecht trailed only McCain at the time but could rebound quickly with a few strong performances.

ClutchPoints Rookie Rankings: 6th, The top five mirrored NBA.com’s rankings, with Risacher, Wells, and Missi ranked 3-5. Brett Siegel noted Knecht’s fluctuations in playing time and shooting consistency as reasons for his drop.

A Wide-Open ROY Race

Unlike previous seasons, there’s no clear-cut favorite like Victor Wembanyama or Paolo Banchero in this year’s draft class. This lack of a dominant rookie has opened the door for multiple players, including Knecht, to contend for the award.

However, Knecht’s case took an unexpected boost after frontrunner Jared McCain tore his meniscus in a game against the Pacers. With McCain out indefinitely, the ROY race is more wide-open than ever, giving Knecht an opportunity to reassert himself.

Lakers’ ROY History

Remarkably, the Lakers have only produced one Rookie of the Year winner: Elgin Baylor in 1959, when the team was still based in Minneapolis. Even legends like Jerry West, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant didn’t win the award. This historical context adds intrigue to Knecht’s pursuit of ROY honors, as he could become the first Los Angeles-based Lakers player to win the award.

Outlook for Knecht

To remain in the ROY race, Knecht must:

1. Regain Consistency: Building on his strong November stretch by finding his rhythm offensively.
2. Take Advantage of Opportunities: With injuries affecting the Lakers’ rotation, Knecht needs to capitalize on his increased minutes.
3. Improve Defense: Becoming a more reliable two-way player will solidify his role and increase his impact on the court.

With 56 games left in the regular season, there’s plenty of time for Knecht to reclaim his standing among the league’s top rookies and make a legitimate push for the Rookie of the Year award.