Are the Lakers Hiding a Special Plan for Dalton Knecht?

The Los Angeles Lakers have always been a franchise that thrives on star power and calculated long-term planning. From the days of Magic Johnson to the Kobe Bryant era, and now with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers have made a habit of not just acquiring talent, but also maximizing it in ways that often surprise the rest of the NBA.

This summer, the team made an intriguing move by drafting Dalton Knecht, a sharpshooting forward from the University of Tennessee. While most rookies enter the NBA with the expectation of gradual development, some observers believe the Lakers might already have a special plan in motion for Knecht — one that could see him make an impact far sooner than expected.

Why Dalton Knecht Fits the Lakers’ Needs

Dalton Knecht, who averaged over 20 points per game in his final college season, isn’t your typical raw prospect. At 23 years old, he enters the league with a level of maturity and polish that many rookies lack. His three-point shooting mechanics, off-ball movement, and basketball IQ are already NBA-ready, and that makes him a potential weapon in the Lakers’ rotation from day one. The question, however, is whether the Lakers see him as a standard rookie role player or if they’re quietly grooming him for a much larger role in their offensive system.

From a roster construction standpoint, the Lakers have struggled in recent seasons with consistent outside shooting. Despite having elite inside scorers in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, their spacing has often been compromised when opponents collapse defensively. Knecht’s arrival could be part of a deliberate strategy to stretch the floor, forcing defenses to make tougher choices and creating more lanes for the stars to attack.

The “Veteran Rookie” Advantage

One of Knecht’s biggest advantages is his age and experience compared to most rookies. Many first-year players in the NBA are 19 or 20 years old, still adjusting to the physicality and pace of the professional game. Knecht, having played multiple years in college, already possesses a body and mindset better suited to immediate contribution.

This could allow head coach Darvin Ham to integrate him more aggressively into the rotation without fearing the typical rookie growing pains. In the right situations, Knecht could even see closing minutes in key games — especially if his three-point shot proves as reliable under pressure as it was in college.

How the Lakers Might Use Him

If there’s a “special plan” for Knecht, it likely involves a blend of strategic deployment and accelerated development. The Lakers could use him in lineups where LeBron James operates as the primary playmaker, with Knecht stationed on the perimeter to punish help defenses. Alternatively, pairing him with bench units that struggle to score could make him a focal point of the second unit’s offense.

Spacing-wise, Knecht could also be a perfect complement to Anthony Davis in pick-and-pop scenarios. Defenders forced to choose between contesting Davis at the rim or closing out on Knecht at the arc will inevitably give up high-quality looks to one of them.

Learning from the Best

Few rookies get the chance to learn from two of the greatest players of their generation. For Knecht, sharing the court with LeBron James and Anthony Davis is a priceless opportunity. LeBron’s understanding of spacing, angles, and passing lanes could accelerate Knecht’s growth as an off-ball scorer. Davis, meanwhile, can teach him how to exploit defensive rotations and capitalize on mismatches.

Beyond the X’s and O’s, Knecht will also observe how elite players prepare — from diet and training routines to film study. That kind of mentorship could shape him into a long-term core piece for the Lakers rather than just a situational shooter.

The Playoff Factor

If the Lakers truly believe Knecht can contribute at a high level this season, his presence could be felt most in the playoffs. Every postseason, games are decided by role players who can hit timely shots and stay poised under pressure. The Lakers may envision Knecht as their version of a “playoff sniper” — someone who can swing a game by knocking down back-to-back threes.

In recent years, the team has seen players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Malik Monk thrive in these moments. Knecht could be next in line to fill that role, especially if he earns the trust of LeBron James, who has historically rewarded teammates who space the floor and make smart cuts.

A Strategic Slow Burn?

Of course, the Lakers might also take the opposite approach — hiding Knecht’s full capabilities until later in the season. By limiting his early exposure, they could keep opposing teams from fully scouting his tendencies. This “slow burn” strategy has been used before in the NBA, allowing rookies to peak at the right time rather than hitting the rookie wall too early.

This would fit with the Lakers’ win-now mentality. Instead of overextending Knecht in meaningless regular-season games, they could steadily ramp up his minutes as the playoffs approach.

Knecht’s Mindset

For any of these plans to work, Knecht’s mindset will be crucial. By all accounts, he’s a hardworking, humble player who values team success over personal accolades. This bodes well for fitting into a locker room led by veterans like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who demand accountability from their teammates.

Knecht has already expressed his excitement about joining the Lakers and contributing in any way possible. If he can combine that attitude with consistent shooting and defensive effort, he could quickly become a fan favorite at Crypto.com Arena.

Final Thoughts

The question of whether the Lakers are hiding a special plan for Dalton Knecht may not be answered until the season unfolds. But one thing is certain — his skill set addresses one of the team’s most glaring weaknesses, and his maturity suggests he’s capable of more than the average rookie.

Whether he’s deployed as a floor-spacing role player, a second-unit scorer, or a playoff X-factor, Knecht represents a rare kind of rookie acquisition: one that could have both immediate and long-term impact. For a franchise always balancing championship aspirations with future planning, that’s exactly the kind of player worth having a “secret plan” for.