Dalton Knecht reveals what JJ Redick said to him behind closed doors.

As the Los Angeles Lakers gear up for the 2025–26 NBA season, Dalton Knecht finds himself in a crucial position — both literally and figuratively. The sophomore guard, who had a rocky but promising rookie season, is now being looked at as a potential X-factor in the team’s attempt to rise from playoff pretender to serious contender.

But the question lingers: Can Knecht take the leap the Lakers so desperately need him to? And will new head coach JJ Redick, himself a former sharpshooting specialist, be the key to unlocking Knecht’s full potential?

Let’s take a closer look at Knecht’s rookie season, his early work with Redick, and what it all could mean for a Lakers squad that’s desperate for youth, floor spacing, and consistency.

The Dalton Knecht Rookie Report: Hot and Cold

When the Lakers selected Dalton Knecht with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, many hailed it as a steal. Coming off a stellar season at the University of Tennessee, where he averaged over 20 points per game and shot 39.7% from three, Knecht was expected to bring immediate shooting help to a Lakers team in dire need of spacing.

But like many rookies, Knecht experienced an up-and-down debut season.

• He had flashes of brilliance, including multiple games where he caught fire from deep and looked like the floor spacer L.A. needed.

• But there were also long stretches of inconsistency, where his minutes dwindled, and he struggled to find rhythm — or the ball — in a crowded offensive system.

• By season’s end, Knecht had averaged just 6.2 points in 13.1 minutes per game, shooting 35% from beyond the arc.

It wasn’t bad for a rookie. But it wasn’t enough for a team that’s trying to maximize the final years of LeBron James’s career and build a reliable core around Anthony Davis.

Enter JJ Redick: Player-Coach Chemistry in the Making

In comes JJ Redick, a coach who knows a thing or two about struggling rookies and elite shooters. As one of the best perimeter scorers of the 2010s — Redick’s resume includes a career 41.5% three-point percentage, lethal movement shooting, and savvy off-ball execution — he seems like the perfect mentor for someone like Knecht.

And thankfully, that mentorship has already begun.

“After the season we had a talk and stuff like that,” Knecht told the Orange County Register. “We’ve been doing a workout. We’ve got lunch and stuff. Just talking and getting to know each other more… JJ is a great shooter and we’ve just been doing shooting drills and stuff like that.”

Knecht added that working with Redick in the gym has been about both physical and mental growth. Not just reps, but how to read defenses, find space, and stay confident when the ball’s not falling.

Redick’s presence is especially important given how often Knecht was underutilized last season.

“There were times when Los Angeles didn’t seem to utilize Knecht in any set plays,” one Lakers insider noted.
“He’d be on the floor, but not part of the actual offense. That needs to change.”

And that’s where Redick’s system could be a game-changer.

What Redick Can Do for Knecht

JJ Redick made a career out of thriving in structured sets, using off-ball movement and screens to find clean looks. If he can implement a similar philosophy in L.A., Knecht could be a central beneficiary.

Here’s how Redick’s guidance could directly boost Knecht’s game:

• Shooting Form Refinement: Redick’s mechanics were textbook. He can help Knecht stay consistent even under pressure.

• Movement Mastery: Redick was elite at moving without the ball — something Knecht will need to emulate to thrive next to LeBron and AD.

• Offensive Role Definition: Redick can give Knecht a defined role in the offense — something sorely lacking last season.

• Mental Focus: Redick survived years of being hunted on defense while still producing offensively. Teaching Knecht how to handle slumps and bounce back is part of the process.

If Redick builds the offense with Knecht in mind, similar to how Miami uses Duncan Robinson or how Golden State has empowered Klay Thompson, it could turn the young guard into a high-efficiency weapon off the bench — or even a starting threat.

Summer League Struggles: A Cautionary Sign?

So far, however, Knecht’s summer league performance has been shaky. His shooting has remained spotty, and questions still linger about his shot creation and defense. In other words, the potential is there — but the breakthrough hasn’t arrived yet.

Lakers fans may be tempted to panic, but summer league is not the final word. Knecht is still adjusting to the pace of the game, and this offseason will be his first full stretch under the Lakers’ new coaching regime.

That said, the Lakers can’t afford to be overly patient. If Knecht doesn’t take a visible step forward by early in the regular season, he could lose his spot in the rotation — or even find himself included in a trade package.

Will the Lakers Trade Him?

This offseason has seen plenty of Knecht trade speculation, especially with the Lakers reportedly exploring deals for a third star. Names like Dejounte Murray and Donovan Mitchell have floated around trade rumors involving Lakers draft assets, and Knecht’s name has surfaced as a young, appealing sweetener.

But so far, no deal has materialized. And unless it does, the Lakers will need Knecht to step up and stick.

With Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and possibly Max Christie already competing for backcourt minutes, Knecht needs to prove his worth on both ends of the court if he wants to avoid being buried on the bench again.

The Verdict: Boom or Bust?

Dalton Knecht has all the tools:

• Size (6’6” with athleticism),

• A fluid jumper,

• And now — a coach who understands his strengths and his struggles intimately.

The Redick-Knecht connection could be one of the most intriguing storylines of the Lakers’ upcoming season. But it’s up to Knecht to take advantage.

If he can do that, the Lakers may not need to chase big trades. They may already have a dynamic scoring wing in-house, just waiting to be unlocked.

But if not? The road ahead could be short — and elsewhere.