JJ Redick will consider moving Dalton Knecht back into starting lineup https://t.co/WaTHo8TxNJ
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 27, 2024
Rookie sharpshooter Dalton Knecht has been emerging lately as a difference-maker for the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s only eight days removed from a 37-point explosion against the Utah Jazz, and that performance came one game after he dropped 27 points on the New Orleans Pelicans.
When forward Rui Hachimura suffered a sprained ankle, it opened the door for Knecht to go on a heater, as he essentially replaced Hachimura in the starting lineup. But when Hachimura returned on Saturday versus the Denver Nuggets, Knecht returned to the bench, and the 23-year-old has since had two underwhelming games.
After Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said he and his coaching staff will consider making Knecht a starter again in order to get the rookie better shot opportunities.
In the last two games, Knecht has shot a combined 5-of-14 from the field and 2-of-8 from 3-point range. He would likely benefit from playing more minutes alongside LeBron James, who knows a thing or two about getting shooters such as him good looks from downtown.
On the season, he’s averaging 11.2 points in 22.8 minutes a game while shooting 50.4% overall and 44% from beyond the arc.
https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1861811822426464289