Amid a rollercoaster rookie season, Lakers forward Dalton Knecht has found himself back in JJ Redick’s rotation. But with the postseason fast approaching and key decisions yet to be made, has the 23-year-old done enough to be one of the nine or ten contributors toward a championship run?
Lakers Rookie Making Case for Playoff Rotation Spot
Redick Showing Continued Trust in Knecht
Dalton Knecht’s re-insertion into the bench lineup came after some mediocre showings toward the end of March. After a string of subpar performances in limited minutes (sometimes five or less), Knecht returned to form in the Lakers’ win against the Pelicans over the weekend. In 20 minutes off the bench, he tallied 12 points on 5/10 shooting from the field and 2/6 from three. Redick reiterated his belief in the former Tennessee wing in his postgame remarks to the media.
“We haven’t given up on Dalton,” Redick told reporters Friday. “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.”
Knecht couldn’t find similar success yesterday, though it was no fault of his own. He drained his lone attempt from three in garbage time as the Lakers blew out the best-in-the-West Oklahoma City Thunder. The win also put the Lakers in the history books, as they tied a franchise-high for threes made in a game (a season-high 22).
The 6’6″ forward has ridden the rookie wave this year, and fans should remember the type of impact he can have whenever his number is called. On the season, Knecht is averaging 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 46% from the field, 37% from three and 75% from the free-throw line.
Knecht Worthy of Playoff Minutes
In a time when the Lakers need high-octane offense and pinpoint perimeter shooting, Dalton Knecht checks those boxes and certainly deserves a shot in the playoffs. He has already proven he can score in bursts and perform well against postseason contenders. Knecht gave a LeBron James and Luka Doncic-less Laker team a fighting chance against Denver with a 32-point outing, and he managed 20 points while starting against the Thunder in November’s In-Season Tournament.
The rookie’s offensive prowess cannot be denied, and his work can be crucial in non-LeBron and non-Luka minutes for the Lakers. With the Lakers constantly employing a “next man up” mentality, Knecht can be a spark plug off the bench with his ability to get buckets from all over the floor. While there’s always a concern that his defense will slip or that he’ll hit a wall at the worst time, it’s important to remember that not all the pressure falls on Knecht. Rather, he can be a small but positive piece toward a greater puzzle that is the Lakers rotation.
Knecht’s progress is something to watch as the regular season winds down. With constant reassurance from his teammates and coaches, he should have no problem acclimating to the raucous postseason environment, and given his stay-ready attitude, he has a chance to play a vital role when it matters the most.
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