Dalton Knecht had an up-and-down rookie campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers this season. There were times when he struggled or even fell out of head coach JJ Redick’s rotation, but there were a couple of stretches during which he got hot and displayed his potential.
In November, he averaged 13.6 points a game and shot 50.7% from the field and 46% from 3-point range, and in March, he put up 10.1 points in 19.2 minutes per game while shooting 47.8% overall and 42% from downtown. For the season, he scored 9.1 points in 19.2 minutes a contest and made 46.1% of his field-goal attempts and 37.6% of his 3-point tries.
But when the NBA announced its All-Rookie first and second teams on Tuesday, Knecht was nowhere to be found. He did receive 17 second-place votes, but no first-place votes.
This could no doubt serve as motivation for him this offseason. He said after the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs that he knows he needs to become a better all-around player, and indeed, he needs to become a more consistent shooter and a much better defender in order to truly crack their rotation.
In the meantime, expect his name to continue to come up in trade rumors. He was included in the attempted trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams in February before the deal was rescinded due to Williams’ failed physical.
