(Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers headed into the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft with high hopes of getting the most value that they could with the No. 17 overall pick, with plenty of options expected to be available once general manager Rob Pelinka and company were officially on the clock.
Although the Lakers were thought to be targeting a big man at No. 17, seven-footer Zach Edey out of Purdue was the logical choice if available, as he checked all the boxes, even though he could be a defensive liability in the paint.
Unfortunately for Los Angeles, Edey was off the board much earlier than expected, as the Memphis Grizzlies brought him in with the No. 9 overall pick, which was a surprising move.
Despite Edey no longer being an option for the Lakers, the team lucked out once they were on the clock with talented scorer Dalton Knecht out of the University of Tennessee being there for the taking, which is being labeled the steal of the draft.
Former NBA player turned analyst Tim Legler of ESPN revealed why the Lakers got such a steal with Knecht via NBA on ESPN.
“I think strictly because there is a lack of consensus with this draft,” Legler said.
“A worker, grinder, never takes anything for granted. That’s who Dalton Knecht is going to be.”
Tim Legler reacts to Dalton Knecht falling to the Lakers’ pick at No. 17 pic.twitter.com/f5HOICyXqH
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 27, 2024
The real question moving forward is what the Lakers will do in the second round of the NBA Draft with the No. 55 overall pick, as all signs point to the team drafting LeBron James’ son, Bronny James if he’s not taken beforehand.
Even if the team makes the controversial choice to bring in Bronny James, Los Angeles has made a solid addition with Knecht, who might be able to contribute immediately.
The post Analyst Reveals Why Dalton Knecht Fell To The Lakers In Draft appeared first on The Cold Wire.