NBA Exec: Lakers' Dalton Knecht Is 'a Rotation Player, Which Was What We Thought'

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht had a scorching run of games in November, but not everyone around the NBA was impressed.

One NBA executive told ESPN's Jeremy Woo there isn't much regret over letting Knecht fall to the Lakers at the No. 17 pick in the 2024 draft because it's unlikely he will reach superstar status.

"Knecht is [almost] 24. He's a rotation player, which was what we thought," the exec said. "If he's making shots he looks great, if not, maybe he doesn't, but not every team needed a guy like that. If you passed on him, you knew what you were passing on."

Knecht scored over 15 points six times in November, including a scintillating 37-point performance with nine three-pointers in a win over the Utah Jazz on Nov. 19. He earned a spot in the starting lineup for Los Angeles and closed out the month with back-to-back 20-point outings, but he's cooled down recently.

In the Lakers' back-to-back set on Sunday and Monday, Knecht scored just six points in both games. He shot a combined 1-of-10 from three-point range.

Still, Los Angeles is depending on Knecht to be a key contributor alongside its star duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Knecht will try to get back on track when the Lakers (12-9) return to action against the Miami Heat (9-10) on Wednesday.