The Lakers were able to land one of the best-regarded players in the 2024 NBA Draft with the 17th overall selection.
It wasn't Bronny James, it was Tennessee star Dalton Knecht.
Knecht burst onto the scene as a senior transfer for the Volunteers. He averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game during his lone SEC season while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from 3-point range.
Not bad for a guy who spent his first four seasons playing in junior college and then at Northern Colorado.
Now, the 23-year-old Knecht will look to bring his scoring punch and sharp shooting to the Lakers. As he does, it appears he has earned the respect of a very important member of the franchise, LeBron James.
Here's what to know about James' opinion of Knecht as the two prepare for a possible team-up in Los Angeles.
NOH: Breaking down the 2024 NBA Draft's biggest winners, losers
What LeBron James said about Dalton Knecht
James mentioned Knecht in passing during a media availability in March. James was speaking about the NCAA Tournament and acknowledged he tuned into the Purdue vs. Tennessee contest, in part, because of the All-American guard.
"We watched that Purdue-Tennessee game because of Zach Edey and Knecht," James said. "Players, depending on who they are, will drive that attention when it comes to viewership."
LeBron James said that he watched Tennessee play in the Elite Eight because of Dalton Knecht.
— Tanner Johnson (@JohnsonTanner23) April 4, 2024
“We watched that Purdue-Tennessee game because of Zach Edey and Knecht.”
Video: @mcten pic.twitter.com/HTKnOJRqsX
That may not be the most in-depth endorsement we've heard from James, but that he was excited by Knecht's performance at Tennessee demonstrates the veteran is a fan of the 23-year-old's game.
Will Knecht quickly transition into a prominent role with the Lakers' bench because of that confidence? Only time will tell.
Either way, it appears the Lakers got a good value, landing the No. 4 overall player on Sporting News' big board with the 17th overall pick.
Whether James and Knecht will play together remains to be seen. James is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free-agent, though the Lakers appear likely to bring back the NBA legend, especially after hiring JJ Redick.
NBA MOCK DRAFT: Where the best players remaining could go on draft Day 2
Dalton Knecht stats
Knecht starred during his lone season playing in a Power 5 conference. He ranked eighth in the country in points per game and was efficient, hitting just under 40 percent of his shots from deep.
Below is a full look at his stats from his Div. I career at Tennessee and Northern Colorado.
| Season | Team | Games | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks |
| 2021-22 | Northern Colorado | 35 | 24.1 | 8.9 | 3.6 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 2022-23 | Northern Colorado | 32 | 35.3 | 20.2 | 7.2 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 |
| 2023-24 | Tennessee | 36 | 30.6 | 21.7 | 4.9 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Total | — | 103 | 29.8 | 16.9 | 5.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
Knecht's improvement — and ability to adjust quickly to the Div. I level — should inspire hope he can do the same at the NBA level. He may not be a 20-point-per-game scorer, but if he can provide the Lakers with a spark off the bench, he could find a role for himself early in his rookie season.
