In the months leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft, few expected the Los Angeles Lakers to have a chance at selecting Dalton Knecht. He was a projected top-10 pick whose skill set seemed tailor made for the modern era.

Roughly four months later, Knecht has officially donned the purple and gold in preseason action—and is making it known that he’s out for vengeance against those who doubted him.

Knecht kicked off the preseason with a stunning debut. He utilized the green light given to him by shooting at will, stretching the Minnesota Timberwolves’ defense and reminding his critics that he’s far more than just a spot-up shooter.

Knecht finished with 16 points in 25 minutes, converting from all over the floor and establishing himself as a threat both with and without the ball in his hands.

It was something of a statement from a player who missed out on millions of rookie-scale dollars due to his slide at the 2024 NBA Draft. It was also a reminder of how difficult it’s going to be for Redick to overlook Knecht when crafting his rotation.

With limited spots in the rotation available and an abundance of options to consider, Knecht has begun the process of slamming the door shut before it can truly open.

Dalton Knecht not only fits rotation, but could be the Lakers’ Sixth Man

Knecht’s first bucket was a midrange jumper, which he set up by utilizing a screen to get open, his handle to get to his spot, and his IQ to judge the distance between himself and Rudy Gobert. His second was a drive and contested finish at the rim that began with a fake and a quick analysis of the angles available to him.

The third was a give-and-go that saw Knecht finish comfortably above the rim with a powerful two-hand slam.

In a span of three plays, Knecht scored in three vastly different ways—all of which showcased his versatility as a scorer. He kept the show going, as his next two buckets were a tricky finish in transition and a catch-and-shoot three.

Throw in a curl off of a screen for a contested three, and a baseline two-hand dunk from a flat-footed position, and Knecht made a statement by asking a simple question.

What other Lakers reserve can do all of what Knecht did on those seven plays?

The short answer is that the Lakers don’t have another reserve, or perhaps even another starter after LeBron James, who provides that degree of versatility. Truthfully, it’s everything Los Angeles is hoping to see from Rui Hachimura in 2024-25—at $17 million compared to Knecht’s figure of $3,819,120.

Gabe Vincent will help in some of those areas, as should Max Christie and Jarred Vanderbilt, but Knecht’s claim for the final spot in the rotation is that no other reserve can match his physical gifts and skill set as a scorer.

Knecht must improve on defense, although watching him defend Nickeil Alexander-Walker for 24 feet before blocking him on the drive was a promising sign. He could also stand to improve as a playmaker—albeit while his two off-the-dribble assists support his upside in that regard.

The reality facing the Lakers, however, is that they don’t have a big wing who can consistently do everything as a scorer—and leaving a rookie who’s already flashing that potential out of the rotation would thus be an indefensible decision.

One game into the preseason, Knecht is already showcasing the special upside that could make him the definitive steal of the 2024 NBA Draft—and the Lakers’ sixth man as soon as 2024-25.