Why is Dalton Knecht Thriving at Los Angeles Lakers?

Dalton Knecht had an unforgettable game, scoring 37 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Utah Jazz. This was one of the standout performances of his career. While some may be surprised by this explosive achievement, LeBron James seems to have predicted it. He shared, “I watched Tennessee a lot. I didn’t think he’d lose to us,” emphasizing his confidence in Knecht’s talent from the start.

Dalton Knecht was a leading scorer at the University of Tennessee. However, when transitioning to the NBA, not every college standout manages to replicate their success. Despite this, Knecht has managed to shine and make an impact with the Lakers.

LeBron James and Dalton Knecht: A Perfect Chemistry

One of the key reasons why Dalton Knecht is thriving at Los Angeles Lakers is his seamless chemistry with LeBron James. James recorded 12 assists for Knecht during the game against Utah Jazz, showcasing their effective partnership. James’s court vision and ability to read the game help him find Knecht in open positions.

What makes Knecht special is that he’s not just a pure three-point shooter; he also has the ability to execute powerful dunks, utilizing his excellent physicality. During fast breaks, James often looks for Knecht, creating more opportunities for him to score.

Knecht Helping James Perform Even Better

Not only does Knecht benefit from playing alongside James, but he also helps LeBron James play more efficiently. James relies on having strong shooters around him to stretch the defense, allowing more space for his drives. When opponents crowd the paint to stop James, he passes to players like Knecht, and vice versa. This dynamic adds versatility to the Lakers’ offense.

A clear example of this is when Lauri Markkanen stepped up to help stop James’ drive, leaving space for Knecht, and James simply passed the ball to his young teammate.

Lakers Perform Better When Knecht and James Play Together

According to statistics, the Lakers score 4.25 more points per 100 possessions when James and Knecht play together. Meanwhile, when Knecht is not on the court with James, the Lakers allow 4.29 more points per 100 possessions to their opponents. This illustrates the importance of Knecht to the team’s success.

LeBron James has a great deal of trust in Dalton Knecht, even celebrating after making a pass to him. This trust stems from what James observed while Knecht played for Tennessee. As James candidly put it, “I’ve been watching him, and I knew he would improve the Lakers’ shooting.”

Thanks to the excellent synergy between LeBron James and Dalton Knecht, the Lakers have had an impressive start to the 2024/25 season. Dalton Knecht is thriving at Los Angeles Lakers due to his effective partnership with Jam