Charles Barkley doesn’t usually give the Los Angeles Lakers credit on national television, but he made an exception on Tuesday night.
Prior to the Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Barkley raved about rookie forward Dalton Knecht. The former Tennessee star was selected by Los Angeles with the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. It was a bit of a surprise he fell that low considering he’s the reigning SEC Player of the Year.
Barkley believes the only reason Knecht fell to the Lakers is because opposing general managers have no idea what they’re doing. At least that’s what he said on TNT this week.
“These NBA general managers don’t have any idea what they’re doing,” Barkley said. “Letting the Lakers get Dalton Knecht was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen. That’s a bad boy right there. Dalton Knecht: remember that name, y’all.”
“These NBA general managers don’t have any idea what they’re doing. Letting the Lakers get Dalton Knecht was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen. That’s a bad boy right there. Dalton Knecht: remember that name, y’all.”
Charles Barkley on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/aITD3kFb0r
— Josh Ward (@Josh_Ward) October 23, 2024
Barkley, a former star at Auburn, watched a lot of SEC basketball last season. He knows what Knecht brings to the table.
In 16 minutes of action on Tuesday night, Knecht had five points, two assists, one rebound and a steal for the Lakers. He only attempted four shots from the field.
When the Lakers drafted Knecht in June, they truly couldn’t believe he was on the board when they were on the clock.
“In my mind, there is no way a player like this will be available for us to pick on draft night,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said. “Across the board, just couldn’t be happier. If we would have had the 10th pick in the draft, we would have taken him.”
Knecht and the Lakers will be back in action this Friday night against the Phoenix Suns.
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