Magic Johnson is a fan of the Lakers adding 'a deadly 3-point shooter' in Dalton Knecht
Magic Johnson is a big fan of Dalton Knecht as the newest Los Angeles Laker. Johnson in a social media post on Thursday described the former star wing at Tennessee as “a deadly 3-point shooter” and scorer who will bring toughness and swag.
“Laker Nation, outstanding pick last night by our Lakers selecting Dalton Knecht – I love it!” Johnson wrote 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 really good college coach at Tennessee, Rick Barnes! Dalton is a guy that has a chance to start or play a lot off the bench.”
Lakers GM: Dalton Knecht is ‘perfect for our needs’
Knecht entered draft day widely projected to be a top-10 pick in the NBA Draft, but he fell out of the draft lottery — the top 14 picks — and continued his slide all the way to No. 17 overall, where he was selected by the Lakers.
Rob Pelinka, LA’s director of basketball operations and general manager, said Wednesday night after the draft that the Lakers never thought Knecht would still be on the board when the draft finally reached their pick.
“We would have never imagined a player as skilled and sort of perfect for our needs would be there for us, as Dalton Knecht (was),” Pelinka told reporters in Los Angeles. “We had him as a top-10 player unanimously across our scout boards.
“I was at the SEC Tournament scouting him extensively. In my mind, I was like there’s no way a player could be available for us to pick on draft night. So across the board, just couldn’t be happier.”
Dalton Knecht averaged 21.7 points per game during All-American season at Tennessee
The 6-foot-6, 213-pound Knecht was a breakout star at Tennessee last season, after transferring to the Vols from Northern Colorado. He was a consensus First Team All-American and the SEC Player of the Year after averaging 21.7 points per game and 25.5 points in SEC play.
Knecht scored a career-high 40 points against Kentucky in his final game at Food City Center. He scored 30 or more points in eight games, 20 or more points in 19 games and 10 or more points in 32 of Tennessee’s 36 games.
He had 39 at home against both Florida and Auburn, 37 at North Carolina to tie a record for the most points scored by an opposing player at the Dean Smith Center, and 37 more in his final game, leading the Vols to the Elite Eight for just the second time in program history before falling to Purdue, 72-66.
The Lakers checked multiple boxes with the addition of Knecht. A veteran on the wing and an elite scorer at all three levels, helping space the floor for Lebron James and Anthony Davis.
“It feels great,” Knecht said Wednesday night. “You get to play with one of the greats ever touch a basketball. And it’s going to be exciting. (I’m ready) to go put on a show for LA.”
