After getting off to the best start since 2020-21, the Los Angeles Lakers have sputtered over the last month. While the Lakers got the New Year off to the right foot, they still have a lot to figure out if they want to make LeBron James‘ likely last season with the franchise memorable.
JJ Redick Promises To Give Lakers Trade Candidate “Consistent Minutes” Over The Next Few Weeks
LA picked up its second win in six games with its 128-121 victory over Memphis. With the victory, the Lakers evened their record over their last 12 games. The Lakers now sit in fifth place in the Western Conference at 21-11, after owning the conference’s second-best mark at the end of November (18-7).
So, what has gone wrong for the Lakers over the last month?
Injuries have played a part. Austin Reaves has missed half of the last dozen games. Rui Hachimura has sat out four while Luka Doncic (3), and Deandre Ayton (2) has missed multiple games.
The Lakers haven’t shot the ball as well as they did earlier in the season, and rebounding and turnovers remain issues. However, it is on defense that the Lakers’ biggest bugaboo remains. Over the last 12 games, the Lakers have allowed 120 points and have been outscored by nearly six points. Additionally, their opponents are shooting 50% from the field and making 14.1 threes at 40.1%.
Overall, the Lakers rank 7th in the NBA in offensive rating and 24th in defensive rating. The Lakers — who have three players averaging 20 points a game — are shooting 50.2% from the field and get to the free throw a ton (28.1 per game). However, they rank last in the league in three-point makes, attempts, and percentage.
LA is making 11.7 threes (25th) on 34 attempts (23rd) a game for 34.6% (24th). Doncic leads the team with 3.3 treys a game, though he is only shooting 31.7% from the 3-point line. Meanwhile, Reaves and Hachimura are the only other Lakers making two triples or around a game while shooting at least 36% from deep. In comparison, the Lakers’ defense is giving up 14 threes at a 38.1 % clip.
As a result of the Lakers’ 3-point shooting woes and with Hachimura, Reaves, and Gabe Vincent sidelined, JJ Redick said Dalton Knecht will get “consistent minutes” over the next couple of weeks, starting tonight against the Grizzlies. Knecht, known for his marksmanship, has struggled to get on the court over the last month despite shooting the ball well lately.
Dalton Knecht To Get More Time
Knecht missed both of his three-point attempts and went scoreless in 11 minutes in the Lakers’ win over Memphis on Friday. It was the first time that the 24-year-old forward had seen at least five minutes of court time since before Christmas. While Knecht hasn’t played as well as last season, he is one of the Lakers’ most dangerous shooters, though defense is a significant issue.
For the season, Knecht averages 5.4 points with shooting splits of 46.7/34.8/68.8 in 13 minutes over 27 appearances. Knecht has scored in double figures six times. While Knecht has only made 24 treys this season — after draining 1.6 threes a game last year — he does have five games of multiple threes. His best shooting performance of the season came against OKC on November 12.
These “next couple of weeks” that Redick mentioned, not surprisingly, coincide with when Reaves projects to reaves. Reaves has been out for over a week with a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain and is expected to be reevaluated in about two and a half weeks. That puts the earliest Reaves could return is about January 26 in Chicago. Including tonight, the Lakers will play 12 games between tonight and that date.
So, Knecht should have a nice window not only to impress Redick but also other teams. Knecht is a trade candidate, as the Lakers don’t have many assets and are reportedly seeking a two-way wing, such as Herb Jones or Trey Murphy III. It is unlikely that the Lakers will be able to acquire either player. However, the Lakers may be able to move Knecht for something worthwhile if he shows improvement during this extended time.
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