How Dalton Knecht is Helping the Lakers, and What Did Kevin Durant Give Him as a Gift?

Playing as a rookie in a loaded NBA team means you're probably coming off the bench as part of the second or third-stringers. And in most cases, you'll only get minutes when your team is up big or during garbage time.

Dalton Knecht of the Los Angeles Lakers may have been picked 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, but four games into the 2024-2025 regular season, he has shown glimpses of what he can do for the Lakers.

And he's helping the team.

The "Dalton Knecht" Effect

Despite losing to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, the Lakers are off to a good start to their season with a 3-1 slate. And while most focus on Bronny James, one of the reasons why the Lakers have been successful is Dalton Knecht.

Sure, he's only playing 15 minutes per game, but he showed efficiency on the court. Just last Friday's' 123-116 against the Suns, Knecht scored eight points and shot 50% from the three-point line. He finished with plus-13 in 13 minutes of court action.

Knecht followed that up with an early career-high ten-point performance against the Sacramento Kings last Sunday. In the season-opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he scored five points.

Dalton Knecht Nation we’ve arrived pic.twitter.com/PIJB6NgZsA

— Kai (@KAlDALEGEND) October 23, 2024

He went scoreless in their second encounter against the Suns, and if anything. he's only bound to get better.

KD's Gift to Knecht

Knecht didn't just walk away victorious last Friday against Kevin Durant and the Suns. He walked away with a gift from KD: a game-used Kevin Durant jersey with Durant's signature.

Pretty cool moment for VFL Dalton Knecht.

DK grew up a fan of KD and tonight he got to square off against his idol, drain a three over him, and get his game worn jersey.

Oh, and the Lakers get the win.

Successful night for Dalton. pic.twitter.com/OJ7YMImVOu

— William Patteson (@williampatteson) October 26, 2024

It's no longer a secret Dalton Knecht idolizes Kevin Durant. He even received an "A DOG!" Instagram comment from KD after Knecht scored 36 points as a player in the Tennessee basketball program. Knecht admitted watching KD highlights on YouTube to help model his game. No wonder why Knecht has a reputation as a big-time scorer in clutch situations. Just like KD.