As the Los Angeles Lakers approach the conclusion of their preseason and prepare for the regular season, fans have had the opportunity to observe two significant rookies.
Dalton Knecht, the team’s first-round draft pick, has rapidly established himself as a player capable of securing regular playing time. He delivered his standout preseason performance on Tuesday, scoring 19 points, with a majority of those points coming in a strong fourth quarter.
In Thursday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns, Knecht tallied five points in the first half.
His strong performances have led Lakers fans to advocate for his inclusion in the early-season rotation.
In contrast, the Lakers’ other rookie, Bronny James, has struggled to make an impact. Competing against NBA talent for the first time, James has had difficulty finding his scoring rhythm and has seen significantly less playing time than Knecht.
During his limited appearances, it has become evident that James will require some additional development time before he can make his way into the Lakers’ rotation.
Given Knecht’s impressive season at Tennessee last year, it is not surprising to see him performing well in the preseason. While he did not receive as much attention as some higher-profile lottery picks, he is quickly establishing himself as a potential steal in the draft.