Underrated after Summer League, Knecht fought back with 3 workouts a day.

When Dalton Knecht walked off the court after the final buzzer of the 2025 NBA Summer League, the noise surrounding his name had changed dramatically. From a first-round pick with high expectations to a player being quietly written off by some analysts, Knecht found himself at the heart of a narrative shift — not because of scandal or injury, but due to something far more subtle: underwhelming performances in the Summer League.

But if there’s one thing Dalton Knecht has proven throughout his basketball journey — from JUCO gyms to SEC arenas and now NBA hardwood — it’s that he doesn’t fold under pressure. Instead of hiding from criticism, he went back to work. And not just any work. Three workouts a day, every day, have become his routine — not because someone told him to, but because he knows what it takes to prove people wrong.

A Wake-Up Call in Las Vegas

Heading into the 2025 Summer League, Knecht was touted as one of the most NBA-ready prospects in the draft. At 23 years old, with a scoring arsenal sharpened in college and an impressive senior year at Tennessee, expectations were high. Many thought he could immediately bolster the Los Angeles Lakers’ wing rotation with his shooting and mature approach.

But the Summer League didn’t go as planned.

Over five games, Knecht averaged just over 12 points per game, shooting under 40% from the field and struggling from beyond the arc. Defensively, he showed effort but was often overmatched. His decision-making looked rushed, his handle under pressure was shaky, and his signature pull-up jumper lost its rhythm against NBA-level defenders.

Critics were quick to pounce. “Overaged,” some said. “Ceiling already reached,” others claimed. Whispers of disappointment began to grow louder — but Knecht heard them all. And instead of responding with words, he answered with grit.

Back to the Grind: Three-a-Days

After a brief break to reset mentally, Knecht returned to Los Angeles and began a relentless training schedule. According to sources close to the Lakers’ development staff, Knecht has been working out three times a day, focused on addressing the exact weaknesses exposed during Summer League play.

The routine looks like this:

• Morning: Strength and conditioning. Weight training to build NBA-level durability and stamina, along with explosive agility drills to improve lateral quickness — a must for perimeter defense.

• Afternoon: On-court skill work. Shooting off the catch and off the dribble, ball-handling under pressure, footwork, and finishing at the rim against contact.

• Evening: Film study and situational reps. Reviewing Summer League footage, breaking down NBA pace and spacing, and scrimmaging in controlled settings to reinforce decision-making under game-like pressure.

This isn’t a player sulking over a few bad games. This is a professional doubling down on the process.

A Mental Reset

What makes Knecht’s response even more impressive is the mental maturity behind it. While some rookies allow early struggles to shake their confidence, Knecht is using them as fuel.

“I didn’t come into the league expecting everything to be easy,” Knecht told a local media outlet during a break between workouts. “This is the highest level of basketball in the world. If you want to make it, you’ve got to work like it. That’s all I’m focused on.”

This no-nonsense mindset is part of what drew the Lakers to him in the first place. As head coach J.J. Redick has emphasized, the organization values players who understand the long road ahead.

“We knew Dalton was a competitor,” Redick said recently. “One thing about him — he takes accountability. He knows what needs work and he’s attacking it.”

Signs of Progress

Though the regular NBA season hasn’t begun, there are already signs that Knecht’s post-Summer League grind is paying off.

Private scrimmages between Lakers rookies and G-League players have seen Knecht shooting with more confidence, playing tighter defense, and showing improved poise with the ball. Teammates have praised his energy, discipline, and improved physicality on both ends.

The Lakers are expected to bring him along gradually, potentially using their South Bay Lakers G-League affiliate as a proving ground early in the season. That would give Knecht valuable minutes, extended reps, and a chance to apply what he’s building in these workouts under live conditions.

Don’t Bet Against Him

Dalton Knecht has been counted out before. In high school, he wasn’t recruited by top-tier programs. In junior college, he was overlooked. Even at Northern Colorado, he played in relative obscurity before transferring to Tennessee and erupting on the national stage.

This Summer League stumble is just the latest underrated chapter in a career defined by proving people wrong. If history is any indication, doubting Knecht is a bad bet.

His journey hasn’t been about hype — it’s been about adaptation and resilience. From adjusting to the speed of the NBA game to learning new defensive schemes and finding his fit in a star-powered Lakers roster, he’s now taking every step deliberately, fueled by the criticism he received and the work he’s putting in.

The Long Game

The Lakers aren’t in a rush. With stars like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and now Jimmy Butler (following the high-profile 2025 trade), the immediate championship window is already open. But depth and future development matter — and Knecht is part of that equation.

By embracing this difficult transition period, investing in himself, and committing to the grind with three workouts a day, he’s signaling that he’s not just here to fill a jersey. He’s here to carve out a role, and eventually, earn his place as a valuable contributor.

As training camp approaches, the doubters may still be talking. But in the gym, in the film room, and on the court, Dalton Knecht is working. And if his past is any guide, the breakthrough is coming — and it’s going to be louder than the doubt ever was.