Dalton Knecht's pursuit of finding his rhythm during the California Classic has proven challenging. The Los Angeles Lakers faced a tough defeat to the Golden State Warriors, losing 92-68 on Sunday. Knecht, despite scoring 12 points, struggled significantly with his shooting efficiency. In 22 minutes of play, he managed just 3-of-13 from the floor.
The struggle isn't new for Knecht in this summer league setting. On Saturday, he concluded the game with a 3-of-12 shooting performance. His current shooting stats reveal a mere 13.3% accuracy rate on jumpers, having converted only 2-of-15 attempts through the initial two games of the California Classic.
While his shooting percentages may raise eyebrows, Knecht has shown some aggression by getting to the free-throw line 14 times and completing 4-of-8 shots at the rim across the two games. However, these figures are a stark contrast to his impressive stats from his final collegiate season at Tennessee, where he averaged 21.7 points per game and boasted a 42.3% success rate on catch-and-shoot three-pointers, according to Synergy Sports.
Knecht's fall from being a consensus top-10 pick leading up to the draft to sliding out of the lottery on draft night adds more pressure to his summer league performance. It's clear that both Knecht and his coaches believe his shooting woes are merely a blip in his development journey. Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson displayed confidence in Knecht's abilities, stating, "Just being patient with it. It's a long summer league. It's going to come. He's a great player, so I'm not worried about him missing some of the shots he's taking. He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it."
Knecht himself remains optimistic despite the rocky start, attributing his current form to a lengthy break from competitive play. "I haven't played since March. Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting. … Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot," Knecht remarked, encapsulating the quintessential mindset of a confident shooter.
With one more game left in the California Classic against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, all eyes will be on Knecht to see if he can bounce back and showcase the level of play that made him a standout in college and a highly touted prospect leading up to the draft. The Lakers are hopeful that Knecht's development trajectory will align with the confidence his coaches and he himself possess.
For Knecht, this summer league represents more than just stats on a scoresheet; it is an opportunity to adapt, grow, and prove his worth on the professional stage. Despite the early struggles, his potential remains undeniable, and the upcoming game could serve as the perfect platform to realign his shooting touch and demonstrate his capabilities.