Los Angeles – In the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Dalton Knecht, a former Tennessee standout.
In the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament, Knecht, who turned 23 in April, guided the Volunteers to an Elite 8 appearance. Even though Purdue ultimately defeated the Volunteers in the hunt for a Final Four berth, Knecht was unanimously selected to the 2024 first team All-American and won the SEC player of the year award.
The 6-foot-5 guard was also named the winner of the Julius Erving Award, which goes to the nation’s top small forward.
For the upcoming 2024–2025 NBA season, Laker Nation can only hope that Knecht can help LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves score a little bit more. During the 2023–2024 season, the native of Thornton, Colorado, averaged little over 21 points and shot slightly under 40% from beyond the three-point line.
The selection of Knecht formally ends the social media speculation that the Lakers would draft LeBron James’ son Bronny James in the first round. The Purple and Gold, however, does own a pick (No. 55) in the second round so there’s still a chance LeBron may get to live out his dream of playing alongside his son, who previously played with USC before declaring for the draft.
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