On the second night of a back-to-back, Dalton Knecht gave the Lakers a big spark off the bench in their win over the Pelicans.
Following a brutal loss to the Warriors on Thursday, the Lakers faced the shorthanded Pelicans on the second night of a back-to-back.
They got significant contributions from their big three, with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves contributing 35 and 30 points, respectively. LeBron James poured in 27 of his own, along with eight assists, in the 124-108 victory.
While the Lakers won with relative ease, the team needed an offensive spark in the opening quarter. So, JJ Redick put Dalton Knecht into the game.
He scored ten quick points in just under three minutes of game time, showcasing his array of offensive skills and ability to be a valuable contributor to this team.
Redick praised the rookie after the win.
“We haven’t given up on Dalton,” Redick said. “We feel like he’s a guy that can help us win a game in the playoffs. Maybe multiple games because of his shooting and his ability to score. I thought it was a great way for him to start tonight with an offensive rebound on a crash and tip-in. Just showing how locked in he was to the game. The basketball Gods reward that”
Standing at 6’6, Knecht brings impressive size and athleticism off the Lakers’ bench. On his tip-in basket, Knecht crashes in from behind the 3-point line. Watch the clip below to see his one-handed athletic finish in traffic that gets him on the board.
A few possessions later, Knecht shows where he proves most valuable. Watch below as he comes to set the inverted screen for LeBron. The Pelicans put two on the ball, leaving Knecht open for the pick-and-pop.
The above action features LeBron as the initiator, but the value for the Lakers is that this type of play blends remarkably well with all three of their ball handlers.
According to the NBA’s tracking data, in the 24 games following the All-Star break, Knecht is shooting 41% on catch-and-shoot threes on three attempts per game.
This includes a stretch of basketball during which he had to mentally get over being involved in a rescinded trade.
Early in the second quarter, Knecht showcased his attacking skills off the bounce. Watch below as he positions himself as a spacer, standing in the opposite corner. LeBron receives the ball in the post, drawing the opposing big man to help.
Jared Vanderbilt effectively flashes open in the paint and passes it back outside. The Pelicans rush out to Knecht in the corner, setting up a pull-up jump shot.
With Dončić’s arrival, the Lakers now have a wealth of ball-handling to cover all 48 minutes. An athletic knockdown shooter is exactly what they need on the floor.
“I think I’m a good fit,” Knecht said. “I’m a shooter. Not only just that, I can go down and create my own shot, attack the rim, also play in the pick and roll with them. I try and just help them as much as I can.”
Even as a rookie, Knecht is the most dynamic and versatile offensive player on the Lakers’ bench. The 17th overall pick ranks third in made 3-pointers among all rookies and sixth in total points.
The issue is not the offensive end. His defensive advancements will determine how much his minutes increase in meaningful games. He will need to improve defensively to consistently earn Redick’s trust.
According to the NBA’s tracking data, lineups with Knecht next to Reaves, James, and Dončić have been abysmal defensively, allowing a 125 defensive rating. The lineup data does not entirely blame Knecht; it is a small sample, but it highlights the biggest area that needs improvement.
Despite the concerns, Knecht has demonstrated all season long that he can score effectively. This is a great skill set to have off the bench, and the Lakers should utilize it more as the season draws to a close.
They’ll have a chance to give Knecht some run on Sunday when they take on the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.