(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
When Earvin “Magic” Johnson talks, people listen.
After all, the NBA Hall of Famer was one of the leaders of the league revival in the 1980s and sparked the Los Angeles Lakers to five titles before embarking on a successful run as a team executive and a businessman.
To say that Johnson was thrilled with his former club’s selection of Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht would be an understatement, as the former player could not hide his excitement.
Calling the selection of Knecht “outstanding,” Johnson praised the choice on social media.
“Dalton is just what the Lakers need, a deadly 3-point shooter/scorer who is physically tough and has swag. He also played for a winning program and a really good college coach at Tennessee, Rick Barnes!”
Laker Nation, outstanding pick last night by our Lakers selecting Dalton Knecht – I love it! Dalton is just what the Lakers need, a deadly 3-point shooter/scorer who is physically tough and has swag. He also played for a winning program and really good college coach at Tennessee,…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 27, 2024
The Lakers legend predicted that Knecht would have a chance to start in LA or play significant minutes off the bench.
The SEC Player of the Year averaged 21.7 points per game for the Vols in his only season in Knoxville and poured in an impressive 37 in the team’s NCAA Tournament loss to top-seeded Purdue.
Johnson was not the only ecstatic voice after the selection was made.
Team officials expressed their shock that Knecht was still on the board when the No. 17 selection was made, and they did not hesitate to snatch him up.
His choice is the first significant move since the Lakers hired J.J. Redick to lead LeBron James and his teammates back to postseason success.
Of course, there’s still the contract situation with James to be sorted out, but Johnson and most in the Lakers camp appear pleased with their day one selection.
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