LeBron James is very impressed with how Dalton Knecht has performed for the Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers earned their sixth straight victory Tuesday night, defeating the Utah Jazz 124-118 at Crypto.com Arena in a thrilling NBA Cup group game. Rookie guard Dalton Knecht emerged as the star of the night, delivering a historic performance that showcased his scoring prowess and potential as an emerging NBA talent.
Knecht donated one career-high 37 pointstying the NBA’s rookie single-game record with nine three-pointers. His remarkable performance drew praise from teammates and fans alike, cementing his place as a key contributor to the Lakers’ recent success. During a torrid third quarter, Knecht made six 3-pointers and celebrated with a move reminiscent of basketball legend Michael Jordan. “Rui (Hachimura) talked to me about needing a three-point celebration,” Knecht explained. ‘I didn’t know what to do. So I just shrugged.”

LeBron James, a vocal supporter of Knecht, didn’t hold back when addressing the teams that passed on the rookie during the draft. “They (the Lakers front office) didn’t find DK (Lakers guard Dalton Knecht). The other 16 teams screwed up,” James noted. “Did anyone watch him? Shit! They just didn’t screw up. You don’t ‘find’ an SEC player of the year.”
Drafted 17th overall by the Lakers in June, Knecht joined the team with an impressive college resume. As a Tennessee Volunteer, he averaged 21.7 points per game, led the SEC in scoring and was named SEC Player of the Year. His ability to score from beyond the arc and aggressive style have translated seamlessly to the NBA. Over the past four games, Knecht is averaging 24.2 points and making 5.2 3-pointers while maintaining a shooting accuracy of 54 percent or better.
LeBron, who closely followed Knecht’s college career, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside him. “I thought it would be impossible. I have no idea how it happened. But very grateful and very happy that he is here. I knew exactly what we were getting when he dropped to 17.”
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The Lakers, now on a roll, look poised to make a deep run in the NBA Cup. As Knecht continues to grow into his role, fans are witnessing the rise of a star who may one day continue the team’s legacy.