Lakers may have gotten steal of NBA draft with Dalton Knecht at No. 17

It wasn’t Bronny James, but the Lakers’ first selection of the 2024 NBA Draft still could make LeBron happy.

The Lakers took Tennessee star Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 pick of the draft on Wednesday night after he slipped down draft boards.

Some had projected Knecht, 23, going as high as No. 6 to the Hornets, instead he heads to Los Angeles and first-year coach JJ Redick.

“That’s really exciting,” Knecht told reporters after being selected at Barclays Center. “At Tennessee, I watched a lot of JJ Redick with coach [Rick] Barnes and just the way he moves and paces himself and was able to create space. He earned that. It’s really exciting and it’s going to be real special.” 

“I am shocked that Dalton Knecht is still on the board here,” draft expert Jonathan Givony said on the ESPN broadcast as the 76ers were on the clock at No. 16.

“For the last 30 minutes, I’ve been racking my brain, texting every GM, saying ‘What is going on? Why is Dalton Knecht falling?’ They say, ‘There is no medical concern. It’s strictly because of the age. We are going with teenagers here.’

“I really do not understand this. Dalton Knecht is a first-team All-American, SEC Player of the Year, shot 40 percent from three. He can help an NBA team right now. He needs to come off the board in the next pick or two at worst.”

The Lakers obliged, swooping in after Philadelphia selected Duke’s Jared McCain at No. 16.

Knecht was lightly recruited out of high school and started his college career at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado before transferring to Northern Colorado and then Tennessee.

The 6-foot-6 sharpshooter developed into an elite talent with the Volunteers, scoring over 21 points per game this past season as the team reached the Elite Eight where they lost to Purdue.

“You are going to watch Purdue because of Zach Edey. He’s a great player. We watched that Purdue- Tennessee game because of Edey and Knecht,” James said in March when discussing his now teammate, who scored 37 points against the Boilermakers.

“Players, depending on who they are, will drive the attention when it comes to viewership.”

Knecht likely will play alongside James, although the NBA’s all-time leading scorer could become a free agent this offseason.

LeBron’s son, Bronny James, was expected to be picked in the second round with the Lakers a possibility if they wish to pair the father-son duo.

The Lakers do not pick again until the No. 55 selection in Thursday’s second round.