One Rough Night: Dalton Knecht’s Summer League Struggles Spark Early Doubts Among Lakers Fans…see more…
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025 NBA Summer League with an unusual amount of buzz surrounding one name: Dalton Knecht.
The 23-year-old scoring wing, fresh off a standout season with the Tennessee Volunteers and selected with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, was viewed as a steal—possibly even a franchise-shifting prospect. With his polished offensive game, explosive athleticism, and college accolades, many Lakers fans were already envisioning Knecht in purple and gold rotations come October.
But in just one disappointing Summer League outing, that hype hit a speed bump.
In Friday night’s 2025 Summer League opener in Las Vegas, Knecht looked nothing like the dynamic scorer Lakers fans had seen in college highlights. He finished the game with a paltry 7 points on 2-of-11 shooting, including 0-for-4 from deep, as the Lakers fell to the Miami Heat’s young squad 91–76. He added just 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and looked noticeably rattled by physical defenders and the uptempo pace of NBA-level competition.
A Rocky Debut
To be fair, it was just one game. But in today’s reactionary sports culture—especially in a franchise as scrutinized as the Lakers—one game is often all it takes to ignite a firestorm of overreactions. Social media lit up with criticism, memes, and calls for patience in equal measure.
“He looks shook,” one fan posted on X. “Can’t believe we passed on proven guys for this??”
Another was more measured: “It’s one game. Let the kid breathe. He’ll figure it out.”
Still, for a player who was touted as one of the most NBA-ready scorers in the draft, the performance raised questions.
Knecht seemed hesitant and unsure of his shot selection. His trademark confidence, often on full display in Tennessee’s SEC clashes, was noticeably absent. Rather than attacking the basket or pulling up decisively, Knecht appeared to second-guess his movements, resulting in forced jumpers and missed opportunities. The Lakers offense stagnated when he was on the floor, and he struggled to create space against quicker, longer defenders.
Growing Pains Are Normal—But Expectations Were High
The Lakers selected Knecht with the hope he could step in and immediately contribute as a floor-spacing wing and secondary scorer—a much-needed element for a team that has struggled with depth and consistency outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
But those expectations may have been a little premature.
It’s important to remember that Summer League games are notoriously chaotic and inconsistent. Most rosters are composed of rookies, G-League hopefuls, and second-year players trying to make a statement. The chemistry is loose, the coaching systems are simplified, and the pace is frenetic. For a player like Knecht—who thrives off rhythm and structured spacing—it’s not an ideal environment for immediate dominance.
“I’m not going to make excuses,” Knecht told reporters postgame. “I just didn’t play well. Shots weren’t falling, I rushed a few things, and I let the moment get a little too big. But it’s a learning process. I’ll be better.”
That attitude will be key moving forward.
Head coach JJ Redick, who’s also overseeing Summer League duties in collaboration with the development staff, preached patience.
“We love Dalton’s work ethic and his mindset,” Redick said. “These early games are about learning, making mistakes, and figuring out how your game translates at the next level. I saw some flashes—we’ll get him more comfortable as we go.”
Lakers Fans Are Hungry—And Impatient
The reaction to Knecht’s struggles reflects a larger issue: Lakers fans are starving for a young player to break out and become a legitimate long-term piece. Since the departures of Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Kyle Kuzma, the Lakers have largely relied on veterans to support their stars.
Austin Reaves has been a bright spot, but he’s more complementary than cornerstone. Knecht, with his scoring pedigree, was supposed to offer a spark of fresh hope. After all, this is a franchise that’s rarely patient—especially when championship windows are at stake.
Some fans also worry that the team’s offseason decisions haven’t fully addressed its depth issues. Aside from retaining LeBron James via his $52.6 million player option and making minor bench adjustments, the Lakers have yet to land another big-name free agent. That’s put even more pressure on young guys like Knecht to rise to the moment.
What Comes Next
Luckily for Knecht, redemption is just around the corner. The Lakers will play several more Summer League games over the next week, including matchups against the Kings, Rockets, and Pistons. Those will be key opportunities for him to shake off the nerves, regain his shooting touch, and show the basketball world what made him such a compelling draft pick.
Analysts are urging fans to stay calm.
“He’s a mature, late-blooming scorer with a strong frame and good instincts,” ESPN’s draft analyst Jonathan Givony said. “You don’t throw that away after one off night in Summer League. Give it two or three games. If he’s still struggling, then you worry.”
Lakers insiders believe that Knecht could carve out a rotation spot by midseason, especially if he demonstrates defensive reliability and consistent shooting off the bench. His college numbers—21.7 points per game on 45% shooting with 39% from three—weren’t a fluke.
But the transition to the NBA is rarely seamless, and fans may need to temper their expectations for a “plug-and-play” rookie star.
Final Thoughts
Friday night’s game in Las Vegas won’t define Dalton Knecht’s NBA career. If anything, it was a wake-up call. A humbling, early taste of the challenges ahead—and a reminder that even “NBA-ready” prospects have growing pains.
The Lakers still believe in him. Redick believes in him. And if Knecht can bounce back with a solid performance in the coming games, Lakers Nation just might believe in him again too.
For now, all eyes remain on Knecht’s next performance. Because in L.A., patience may be thin—but redemption is always just one good game away.
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Social Media Caption:
🚨 One Game, One Storm: Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht’s rough Summer League debut sparks major fan doubts. Is it too early to panic—or exactly the reality check LA needed? 🔥🏀 #LakeShow #SummerLeague #DaltonKnecht?
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