5 hours Ago By Dan Coombs, NBA Analysis Network
The 2024-25 season has been an inconsistent season for the rookie class. The current favorite for the Rookie of the Year Award is San Antonio Spurs prospect Stephon Castle . The top picks in the 2024 NBA Draft , Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr and Reed Shephard are all working their way into the league.
Jared McCain was looking strong before going down with an injury. One player who likely won’t win the award is LA Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht – but a team legend believes he has the ability to have taken it. Robert Horry on Dalton Knecht Dalton Knecht scored 19 points in the LA Lakers win over the LA Clippers on March 2.
He was called on for an expanded role after Austin Reaves left the previous game against the Clippers with an injury. Knecht took full advantage in this 108-102 win, playing 25 minutes and adding four rebounds to go along with his points. Former Lakers star Robert Horry believes that if Knecht was playing for any other team, he would be winning the Rookie of the Year award, instead shut out by the Lakers’ depth.
Horry told the Lakers’ post-game show on Spectrum: “He’s one of those guys, he’s gonna be a streaky shooter, because when you play alongside with great guys, and you don’t get a lot of consistent shots, you’re gonna be streaky. “But this guy, to me, I’ve said it from day one, if it was on any other team, he probably Rookie the Year, because this dude is just that good. “He’s need the opportunity got to show you what he can do because he can play defense.
He doesn’t play because of Vando, but he’s a very capable defender. He’s a really good offensive rebound. “He got to be ready to answer that call.
” Horry had warned that with a lack of minutes, JJ Redick was messing with Knecht’s confidence . Dalton Knecht made early impact At 23-years-old, Dalton Knecht entered the league at an older age than many rookies. Alex Sarr is 19, for instance.
This extra experience enabled Knecht to make an early impact in the NBA , with the Wizards for comparison hoping longer term Sarr will have a higher upside. Knecht has a season-high of 27 points, and he is a valuable rotational piece for the Lakers, but he is a tradeable piece. The rookie was traded to the Charlotte Hornets before the deal was rescinded due to Mark Williams’ medical .
Horry said he had been in touch with Knecht, to try to reassure him about the trade. “That should that should make you feel good as a player. Because it’s not what the Lakers were trying to do, it is what the other team was.
They know what they see. They know what they will have if they got you on the team.” Knecht made clear he just wants to basketball, wherever he is.
The more minutes he plays, the better rhythm he will have, and more chance of making an impact. Award or not. This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.
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