While appearing on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” former NBA players Lou Williams and Chandler Parsons were asked whether Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht could keep his starting job once Rui Hachimura returns from an ankle sprain. What they—along with the rest of the country—didn’t know is that Knecht would have a historic performance against the Utah Jazz that night.
The 17th overall pick recorded a rookie season record 37 points Tuesday, becoming only the fourth Laker to drain nine threes in a game. Following yet another career night in the starting lineup, has Knecht earned a spot with the starters upon Hachimura’s return?
Dalton Knecht’s Career Night Brings Starting Lineup Dilemma
Verdict From Williams and Parsons
Both Parsons and Williams agreed that Knecht should head back to the bench when Rui is ready to go, citing valid reasons. Williams, who spent the 2015-16 and part of 2016-17 seasons with the Lakers, said:
“We have an unwritten rule that you don’t lose your job to injury. [Hachimura] should very much come back and have his job, especially by most accounts, they’ve been successful with him in the starting lineup. If you’re JJ, that exposed you to the fact that you found a rotation that works along with your original starting line since taking D’Lo out….But again, now you know and now you have the flexibility to go to the bench and know you can put Dalton Knecht in there. He’s gonna give you a different look in there than the other guys.”
Parsons added:
“I think it’s good valuable reps for Dalton. I think Rui deserves that spot. They’d been cooking with him in the starting lineup…Dalton Knecht, he’s gonna play 20, 25 minutes regardless, and I do think when you surround LeBron James with shooting, it makes him even that much better…It’s a good luxury to have, just to have this rookie to plug and play and be able to play with any group and know the sets…There’s gonna be certain games where he plays a lot more minutes, there’s gonna be certain games that he gets the rookie treatment—he gets eight minutes, he’s in the dog house. That’s gonna happen throughout his growth.”
Williams noted that bringing Knecht back to the bench would also relieve him of any high standards set by Lakers fans, as well as the backlash that would happen if he hits a rookie wall.
The Case for Dalton Knecht’s Starting Job
Following Knecht’s breakout performance, he’s up to 20.3 points per game on 57% from the field and 51% from three-point range in four games as a starter. With Hachimura possibly back within the next week, many are wondering how his return will impact Knecht and the effect he’s had on the first unit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
So it feels like Dalton Knecht is swiping Rui Hachimura’s job right before our eyes.
I think they have to improve on the Cam Reddish spot if they want to make playoff noise, but Knecht’s shooting has really unlocked some stuff offensively for the other starters.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) November 20, 2024
Knecht has unlocked another level to his game since starting alongside James and Davis. He is the sharpshooter the Lakers have searched for over the last few years. Any defensive deficiencies of his have been hidden by AD’s stellar effort, along with James, Austin Reaves and Cam Reddish. However, once Hachimura returns, Redick will need to make a tough decision. Should he disrupt the rookie’s flow or the starting lineup’s balance with Reddish?
If Redick is willing to ride the wave of Knecht’s hot start, then Reddish should return to the bench. Although Reddish is a solid defender in an offense-heavy group—occasionally scoring when he has to—Knecht provides more value as a perimeter threat who can also work inside. Knecht gives LA another viable offensive option to take the load off of James, Davis and Reaves. As Williams and Parsons said, Hachimura deserves to return to a starting role after his success early on this season. The issue isn’t between Knecht and Hachimura, but rather Knecht and Reddish—and after last night, there seems to be a clear option.
Just start both man
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) November 20, 2024
Brother just start them both. Yall do not have to start cam reddish I promise
https://t.co/U8yLKGdsNy
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) November 20, 2024
The Last Word
Redick has the final say at the end of the day. Still, fans can rest assured knowing Knecht will start at least the next few games, hopefully continuing his hot streak. However, the first-year head coach will have to make another tough call when Hachimura returns, choosing between an offensive-minded rookie and defensive-minded vet.
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