Heading into this week, the Los Angeles Lakers were dealt a short hand after superstar guard Luka Doncic was given an injury diagnosis after just three games.
This hasn't stopped the Lakers from stepping up without both of their top stars in Doncic (finger/lower body) and LeBron James (sciatica). Los Angeles has so far gone 1-1 with role players stepping into bigger roles.
One player that's been called upon by head coach JJ Redick has been second-year forward Dalton Knecht, who's struggled to find a rhythm since getting drafted in 2024.
JJ Redick remains confident in Dalton Knecht moving forward
Through Dalton Knecht's first 81 games in the NBA, he's struggled to find a rhythm in scarce playing time with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Amid a failed trade that involved him getting shipped to the Charlotte Hornets for just two days before a failed physical by center Mark Williams had him return to the Lakers, Knecht has been just a role player with the Lakers.
After the loss against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, where Knecht finished with 16 points but shot 38.5% from the field, Redick said that Knecht will benefit from getting more time.
"Yeah, I think he can build off this," Redick said, according to Laker Nation's Ron Gutterman. "I mean, it wasn’t a perfect game, but had a really good stretch there. And it wasn’t just making shots. It was playing with some tenacity, getting out in transition. And just continue to believe in him as a player, and understand that it’s gonna be a process with him. And he understands that, and I talk about that all the time. But I have a very high belief in him."
Los Angeles' next mission will be against the Minnesota Timberwolves without Anthony Edwards (hamstring). Knecht is expected to come off the bench, playing a large role for the Lakers.
MORE NBA NEWS:
Heat's Norman Powell added to injury report for matchup vs. Hornets
Lakers' Luka Doncic receives positive update after injury diagnosis
Stephen A. Smith explains why he doesn't like LeBron James in recent comments
Thunder add former Nets first-round pick in late preseason roster move