Dalton Knecht’s lengthy wait at the Barclays Center on Wednesday night paid off for the Los Angeles Lakers, as they selected him with the No. 17 overall pick in the NBA Draft. Despite being projected to go higher, Knecht’s age may have been a factor in his slide in the draft. At 23 years old, he was one of the older prospects in the first round.
Knecht’s journey to the NBA has been unconventional. He did not receive any Division I scholarship offers out of high school, starting at a junior college before transferring to Northern Colorado and then ending up at Tennessee for his final season. His standout performance in the SEC last season helped lead the Volunteers to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.
As a top scorer and efficient shooter, Knecht’s experience and skills make him a valuable addition to the Lakers. Teaming up with LeBron James and playing under first-year head coach J.J. Redick in Los Angeles presents an exciting opportunity for Knecht to showcase his talents at the highest level. Despite the unexpected wait on draft night, the pick seems to be a perfect fit for all parties involved.