Amidst a whirlwind of form, Dalton Knecht receives unexpected support from the NBA GM

The NBA Summer League has once again come and gone in a blur of highlight dunks, no-look passes, and harsh overreactions. Among the players under the spotlight was Los Angeles Lakers second-year guard Dalton Knecht, who entered the offseason with high expectations but walked away from Las Vegas with more questions than answers.

Knecht, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, was viewed by many as a steal for the Lakers on draft night—a near-lottery-level talent who slipped due to concerns about his age (24) and defensive potential. But after a disappointing Summer League showing, murmurs are starting to grow about whether the Lakers’ investment in Knecht is beginning to lose value.

Summer Struggles: Numbers That Can’t Be Ignored

Knecht’s stat line over three games in Las Vegas wasn’t just underwhelming—it was alarming for a player trying to establish himself in Year 2.

• 10.3 points per game

• 27.9% shooting from the field

• 23.8% from 3-point range

And that came after a similarly lackluster performance at the California Classic in San Francisco. What was supposed to be a breakout opportunity quickly became a confidence test.

The Lakers didn’t play him in the final two games in Vegas, which many took as a red flag.

Buha: “Stock Has Plummeted”

In a recent episode of his podcast, Jovan Buha of The Athletic didn’t mince words about Knecht’s trajectory within the Lakers’ organization.

“Summer League has not helped Knecht’s stock,” Buha said. “I don’t think at this point he is valued as a first-round pick, in terms of asset valuation.”

Buha revealed that in conversations with various league figures during Summer League, many felt Knecht’s perceived value had dropped below the first-round pick threshold. That’s a far cry from the optimism surrounding him during the regular season, when Knecht showed flashes of offensive versatility and confident shooting off the bench.

It’s a reminder that in the NBA, things can change quickly—especially for players who were already drafted with caveats.

Eastern Conference GM: “He Can Still Shoot”

However, not everyone is hitting the panic button.

When asked about the impact of Knecht’s disappointing Summer League, one Eastern Conference general manager offered a more grounded take.

“He is a shooter, and he has shown he can shoot,” the GM told reporters. “He needs to show he can do something else to get and stay on the floor, for sure. But his value has not gone anywhere, not based on a few summer games.”

That sentiment reflects a more realistic evaluation: Summer League isn’t the NBA, and it’s not uncommon for experienced players—especially ones coming off an up-and-down rookie season—to treat the summer showcase more like a tune-up than a tryout.

What the Numbers Really Say

While Summer League is fresh in fans’ minds, a broader look at Knecht’s rookie season provides some context. In his first year with the Lakers, Knecht averaged:

• 9.1 points per game

• 46.1% shooting from the field

• 37.6% from three

For a late first-round rookie playing behind a crowded backcourt, those are promising numbers. His shooting efficiency was strong, and he showed stretches where he could create his own shot and space the floor—two skills the Lakers sorely need alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

So why the concern?

Because in the NBA, consistency is everything. And after a streaky rookie year followed by a cold Summer League, doubts are surfacing over whether Knecht can elevate his game or whether his development has plateaued.

Defense Remains the Big Question

Even before he was drafted, defensive limitations were the biggest knock on Knecht’s game. At 6-foot-6 and 212 pounds, he has the size to guard multiple positions but often lacks lateral quickness and awareness on switches.

In Summer League, his defensive issues were on full display. He struggled to stay in front of quicker guards and often seemed out of sync in team defensive rotations.

And in a Lakers system that demands versatility on defense, that may be the real hurdle standing between Knecht and consistent minutes.

“Offense gets you drafted,” said a Western Conference scout. “But defense keeps you in the league.”

The Lakers’ Perspective: Trade Chip or Long-Term Prospect?

One interesting wrinkle in this story is that the Lakers nearly traded Knecht last season. According to reports, Los Angeles had a deal on the table that would’ve sent Knecht and a future first-round pick to Charlotte for Mark Williams, a promising young center.

At the time, the deal was framed as two first-round picks for Williams. But with Knecht’s value dipping, Buha now suggests he may no longer carry the cachet of a first-rounder—making him a less appealing trade chip in the Lakers’ quest to acquire a third star.

That puts the team in an awkward spot: Do they keep developing Knecht, or flip him while they still can?

Silver Linings: It’s Still Early

Let’s not forget, it’s only Year 2 for Knecht. Players develop at different speeds, and summer struggles don’t always forecast NBA failure. Just last year, Brandin Podziemski looked pedestrian in Summer League—and went on to become a starter for the Warriors.

The Lakers still need shooting. They still need youth. And Knecht still provides both.

“He’s got the stroke,” the Eastern Conference GM reiterated. “You can’t teach that. If he rounds out the rest of his game, he’ll be fine.”

Final Takeaway: A Test of Patience

Dalton Knecht’s rough summer hasn’t erased his potential. But it has raised the stakes.

In a franchise with championship expectations and limited development time, every young Laker is under pressure to produce now. Knecht’s mission will be proving that his offensive tools outweigh his limitations—and that Summer League was a blip, not a trend.

The talent is there. The shot is real. But the NBA waits for no one.