Lakers head coach JJ Redick makes strong statement about former Tennessee Vols standout Dalton Knecht
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is feeling positive about the longterm outlook for former Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht. Knecht, who was selected by the Lakers in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, has played well as a rookie this season (9.2 points per game), despite receiving some uneven playing time […]
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is feeling positive about the longterm outlook for former Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht.
Knecht, who was selected by the Lakers in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, has played well as a rookie this season (9.2 points per game), despite receiving some uneven playing time throughout the year.
The former Vol, for example, played just nine minutes in the Lakers' win against the Denver Nuggets in late February. On Monday night, Knecht played 41 minutes in the Lakers' to the Brooklyn Nets. That's quite a variance in minutes.
JJ Redick praises Dalton Knecht's development as a player
Redick made it clear before the game against the Nets on Monday that he thinks Knecht is improving as a player and is going to have a long career in the NBA.
"I think he has had what I would describe as a typical rookie year, which is you have some highs and some lows," said Redick. "You have some neutrals. I think his toughness and fight have improved throughout the year. I think getting him back (after the failed trade with the Hornets) and sort of the emotional and mental processing of that has made him actually a better and stronger player. He is going to have a long NBA career. He's got a bright future with us and we're going to need him tonight."
Knecht scored 19 points and secured four rebounds against the Nets after those comments from Redick.
The former Vol has experienced a lot as a rookie this season. From the uneven playing time to getting traded to the Hornets and then getting returned to the Lakers when the deal fell apart, it's been a season that Knecht will never forget. And he's impressively handled all of the adversity without letting it impact him on the court.
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Not good for the former Vol
