Dalton Knecht entered the 2025 NBA Summer League under a cloud of anticipation. As the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick (17th overall), Knecht arrived in Las Vegas with a reputation as a prolific college scorer. His 2023–24 season at Tennessee culminated in consensus All-American honors, including SEC Player of the Year and the Julius Ewing Award as.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8facebook.com+8. He followed that with a promising rookie NBA campaign, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists across 19.2 minutes per game basketball-reference.com. That debut season featured electrifying performances—such as a 37-point explosion against Utah on Nov 19—and established Knecht as a potent offensive talent worthy of sustained opportunity en.wikipedia.org+1fr.wikipedia.org+1.
Given that trajectory, expectations for Summer League were reasonable: a chance to refine his game, expand his offensive repertoire, and build confidence heading into year two. Yet through the first two Las Vegas games, the results were sobering: a combined average of just 7.0 points per game, shooting 5-of‑20 from the field (25%), and a brutal 0-of‑9 from downtown as.com+6facebook.com+6reddit.com+6.
Shooting woes: stark regression
Scoring just 7.0 points per game is startling for a player whose offensive ascendancy defined both his college and rookie seasons. With 20 attempts in two games yielding only five makes from the floor, that’s a 25% rate—abysmal compared to his career NBA field goal percentage of 46.1% .
Even more concerning is Knecht’s 0-of‑9 3-point performance. That stark contrast with his career 3-point mark of 37.6% is hard to ignore . Summer League typically offers more forgiving guerrilla-style defense, making his drought all the more glaring.
His poor marks have drawn critical attention. A Reddit thread titled “Dalton Kneecht in summer league so far: 5/20 FG, 0/9 from 3” garnered blunt reactions nba.com+10reddit.com+10basketball-reference.com+10. One user wrote:
“He’s 24 he should be cooking these kids.” reddit.com
Another weighed in more analytically:
“He has to get better on defense and get closer to 40% on reliable volume to stick as a long term NBA player but a bad summer league shooting stretch doesn’t make that impossible.” reddit.com
Reddit sentiment ranged from harsh disappointment (“He made himself look unplayable wayyyyyyy before that trade happened.”) to reasoned caution that short-term slumps don’t negate long-term potential. That diversity of opinion embodies the split reaction: Lambasting his production? Sure—but not writing him off.
Contextual framing: why it matters
Summer League performances aren’t definitive, especially for a second-year pro like Knecht. Yet they do matter. For a team evaluating its backcourt rotation, spacing, and bench depth, shoots and misses on the perimeter have consequences.
One Redditor put it bluntly:
“Summer league matters in the sense if 2nd or 3rd year guys don’t look like the best players on the floor it’s a problem.” reddit.comas.com
That underscores how expectations shift once you’re beyond rookie status: By year two, players are expected to make discernible progress—not regress.
The Lakers, particularly in the LeBron–AD era, are a win-now franchise. Every roster spot, especially for perimeter players, is precious. Knecht’s inability to translate his regular-season shooting into Summer League touch raises red flags: Is his shot inconsistent under game pressure? Does he lack positional shooting elevation or quick release? Those are valid concerns front offices monitor closely in developmental leagues.
Mechanics versus slump: what’s behind the miss?
Breaking down possible causes reveals a few potential culprits:
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Rhythm disruption: Knecht is known for fluid footwork and range. But in Summer League’s jumpy context—unsettled rotations, erratic defenses, new teammates—his rhythm may have been disrupted.
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Psychological pressure: As a mid-round pick with a year under his belt, expectations ride higher. Pressure to perform can unintentionally tighten shooters’ forms, especially from deep.
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Defensive adjustment: Opponents could be fronting or switching over screens, cutting off his catch-and-shoot rhythm. Less spacing and fewer opportunities to get clean looks would impact percentages.
Yet we must note the small sample size: two games. Even elite shooters can go 0-for-9 in that span. For example, the NBA’s career three-point leader Stephen Curry has experienced similar ice-cold spells early in summer play.
So it’s crucial to avoid overreaction. A few poor outings don’t define a trajectory—especially one grounded in past excellence.
Beyond shooting: other dimensions
Knecht’s struggles weren’t limited to shooting. While his offensive mechanics flagged, spacing impact, drive timing, and playmaking appear muted. Redditers noted defensively, he’s not excelled in disrupting or guarding effectively—a pressure area for J.J. Redick’s structured system. The prior season, Redick emphasized Knecht’s need to bring heavier defensive presence and rebounding effort .
During last year’s Summer League, Redick encouraged Knecht to use his body to create space, cut off defenders, and thrive in physical mismatch situations as.com. That holistic approach—attacking physically, reading defenses, and adjusting—doesn’t rely solely on catch-and-shoot output. These foundational actions shape scoring opportunities.
But through these first two games, Knecht’s impact appears largely absent. Defense still seems passive, screens under-utilized, and cutting can be too tentative. Against a backdrop of 25% FG, 0-of‑9 accuracy, and meager on-ball activity, doubters suggest his all-around game hasn’t grown since last season—triggering critical Reddit feedback (“He wasn’t playing well before then either.”) nba.com+9reddit.com+9on3.com+9facebook.com.
What losing looks like: heatmap of headwinds
Here’s a breakdown of patterns indicating broader troubles:
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Offensive stagnation: Skewed marks with 25% FG and zero threes hint at freeze-up under pressure. Defenses can sag off him, eliminating quick triggers and forcing contested jumpers.
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No counter-waves: In previous flashes—like 37-point performances—he countered cold spells with drives or mid-range attacks. Here, those offensive shifts appear stunted.
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Defensive blindspots: A lack of on-ball aggression and limited rebounding indicates defensive effort is low-grade. That plays against him in Summer League boards.
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Psychological drag: Coming off a canceled trade in February, Knecht’s mental state might be fragile. Public knowledge of that incident could be casting shadows on his confidence .
Why improvement is possible
Despite this rough start, history and attributes suggest rebound potential:
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Past shooting pedigree: His college and rookie seasons showed consistency and range. His Summer League slump could just be noise—albeit uncomfortable noise.
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Proven bounce-back ability: Last Summer League (2024) he averaged 21.3 ppg, 41.8% FG, and 39.1% from deep across three games on3.com. That shows adaptability and comfort in this setting.
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Coach support: JJ Redick has indicated faith in Knecht’s work ethic, using messages and on-court coaching to rekindle his shooting touch as.com.
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Veteran maturity: At 24, Knecht isn’t a raw prospect. His age and physicality should help him internalize feedback fast and adjust off-court and on-court.
What to watch in game 3 and beyond
Track these metrics in upcoming games:
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Shot choices: Are his attempts quality looks or reflexive, forced jumpers?
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Decision-making: Is he attacking closeouts, curling off screens, or using his frame against defenders?
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Spacing usage: Letting gravity pull defenses? Are teammates feeding or avoiding his side?
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Confidence shifts: Body language, release speed, and bounce suggest timing or mental blocks.
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Defensive approach: Particularly rebounding, help rotations, and ball pressure.
Stakes and broader narrative
Summer League opens more than an exhibition: it’s audition time. For Knecht, it’s a proposition: reaffirm potential by showing growth—or watch perception slip.
If he rebounds, hitting threes and playing physically, he confirms he’s ready for year-two focus and rotation minutes. If struggles persist though, criticism morphs into questions: Can he defend NBA wings? Is his offensive game translatable? Does he merit a guaranteed rotation spot over other younger, cheaper options?
Added context—market, competition, roster spots—elevates stakes. Lakers will shape lineups around Bronny, veterans, and emerging pieces. Knecht needs to reinforce his value fast.
Conclusion: snapshot, not verdict
Dalton Knecht’s first two Summer League games (7.0 ppg, 25 FG%, 0‑9 3PT) represent a jarring dip from his past promise. But they’re still just two games in a developmental showcase. His prior Las Vegas success, veteran maturity, and coaching support give him runway to bounce back.
Critics on Reddit urge realism: at 24, regression isn’t acceptable. Others counsel patience—last year’s slump didn’t define him. The truth lies in upcoming performances: will Kroech turn systemic adjustments into visible improvements? Or will he dig a deeper hole?
In basketball, narrative shifts fast. One strong Summer League outing can rebuild momentum, while another cold stretch fan flames of doubt. For Knecht, this season’s Las Vegas performance is a chance—not a sentence.
