In a twist that had Lakers fans doing a double-take, the team snagged one of the top talents in the 2024 NBA Draft with their 17th overall pick. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t Bronny James. Instead, it was Tennessee’s standout star, Dalton Knecht.
Knecht made quite the entrance as a senior transfer for the Volunteers, lighting up the court with an average of 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. His sharpshooting skills were on full display, boasting a 45.8 percent field goal rate and a 39.7 percent success rate from beyond the arc.
This isn’t bad at all for a player who spent his first four seasons in the lesser-known realms of junior college and Northern Colorado. Knecht’s journey from obscurity to stardom is nothing short of remarkable.
Now at 23, Knecht is ready to bring his impressive scoring abilities and precision shooting to the Lakers. But he’s not just bringing talent; he’s bringing respect—specifically from none other than LeBron James.
As Knecht gears up for his potential team-up with LeBron in Los Angeles, here’s a closer look at what the King himself thinks about this rising star. Spoiler: LeBron is quite impressed with what Knecht brings to the table.
What LeBron James said about Dalton Knecht
The Lakers pulled off a draft-day coup by securing one of the 2024 NBA Draft’s most celebrated players with their 17th overall pick. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Bronny James. Instead, the spotlight shines on Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht.
Knecht emerged as a senior transfer for the Volunteers, dazzling fans and scouts alike with averages of 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. His shooting stats are equally impressive, with a 45.8 percent field goal rate and a 39.7 percent success rate from three-point land.
This meteoric rise is especially notable given his humble beginnings in junior college and at Northern Colorado. Knecht’s journey from relative obscurity to the NBA draft is a testament to his hard work and talent.
LeBron James said that he watched Tennessee play in the Elite Eight because of Dalton Knecht.
“We watched that Purdue-Tennessee game because of Zach Edey and Knecht.”
Video: @mcten pic.twitter.com/HTKnOJRqsX
— Tanner Johnson (@JohnsonTanner23) April 4, 2024
At 23, Knecht is set to bring his scoring prowess and sharpshooting skills to the Lakers. And he’s not just catching the eye of fans; he’s also impressed LeBron James.
In a media session in March, LeBron casually mentioned Knecht while discussing the NCAA Tournament. Specifically, LeBron tuned into the Purdue vs. Tennessee game, partly due to the All-American guard. “We watched that Purdue-Tennessee game because of Zach Edey and Knecht,” James said. “Players, depending on who they are, will drive that attention when it comes to viewership.”
This may not be the most detailed endorsement, but LeBron’s interest in Knecht’s performance speaks volumes about his respect for the young player’s game.
Will Knecht quickly earn a prominent role off the Lakers’ bench thanks to this confidence? Only time will tell.
Whether LeBron and Knecht will share the court is still up in the air, as LeBron is expected to opt out of his contract and test free agency. However, the Lakers appear determined to retain the NBA legend, especially after bringing in JJ Redick as a coach.
One thing’s for sure: the Lakers’ future just got a lot more exciting with Dalton Knecht in the mix.
Dalton Knecht stats
| Season | Team | Games | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks |
| 2021-22 | Northern Colorado | 35 | 24.1 | 8.9 | 3.6 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 2022-23 | Northern Colorado | 32 | 35.3 | 20.2 | 7.2 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 |
| 2023-24 | Tennessee | 36 | 30.6 | 21.7 | 4.9 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Total | — | 103 | 29.8 | 16.9 | 5.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
