Transitioning from NCAA to the NBA takes time and Los Angeles Lakers sophomore forward Dalton Knecht appeared to make that transition look easy as a rookie. Unfortunately, things have not panned out in L.A. since the rescinded trade over a year ago involving then Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams.
Coming out of Tennessee, Knecht was a dominant scorer, averaging 21.7 points and 4.9 rebounds on 46.1% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range in his lone season with the Volunteers. Now with the offseason underway, he went back to Knoxville to host his first basketball camp, which the Lakers wing was excited about, via Xavier Burton of Knox News:
“This is really special to me,” Knecht said, “to have my first camp, especially in Knoxville. You all gave so much to me. The biggest thing today is to have fun.”
Knecht was a fan-favorite during his lone season with the Vols and it makes sense for him to give the community an event like this. As expected, Knoxville showed Knecht love since returning so he wanted to give back:
“Just the love they gave me while I was here,” Knecht said, explaining how Knoxville made an impact on him. “If I was out at a restaurant, they’d always come up and say what’s up. At the games they really embraced me. I came in as a transfer, and the city came to love me.”
With uncertainty surrounding his future with the Lakers, it is not swaying Knecht from having a stress-free offseason. Hopefully, by putting on his first basketball camp, Knecht can mentally reset and get back to his roots in a sense.
Tennessee is a passionate community when it comes to collegiate sports and it is great to see them support a former player. Presumably, this will not be Knecht’s last time back in Knoxville, regardless of where his NBA career takes him.
During the offseason, players typically return home or have a vacation spot and perhaps this can be Knecht’s summer spot. Seeing how the love is mutual, it makes sense for both sides to continue this relationship for the foreseeable future.
Dalton Knecht was ‘shopped aggressively’ at trade deadline
When Knecht fell to the Lakers at No. 17 in 2024, it felt like L.A. got a steal and there were early signs of that. But, it appeared that the rescinded trade took him mentally out of being in Los Angeles.
Both sides know it is time to move on, given the circumstances, but they have yet to find a resolution. Reportedly, the Lakers aggressively shopped Knecht at last season’s trade deadline with no luck and it is safe to assume that he will be shopped around again this summer.
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