What’s Going on with Dalton Knecht?
Dalton Knecht’s Summer League: A Mixed Bag of Performances
Dalton Knecht, the Los Angeles Lakers’ second-year first-round pick, experienced a rollercoaster in 2025 NBA Summer League. The talented wing has shown flashes of scoring ability and upside from his rookie campaign, but inconsistency has clouded his overall performance.
Los Angeles played eight Summer League games—three in the California Classic and five in Las Vegas.
Strong Showings Highlight His Potential
Dalton Knecht delivered two standout performances that showcased his value during summer league.
In their last California Classic game against the San Antonio Spurs, he helped the Lakers secure a one-point victory. The guard poured in 25 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and shot an efficient 9-for-18 from the field, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Impressively, he finished with zero turnovers.
Another solid outing came in the Lakers’ Las Vegas opener against the No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, and the Dallas Mavericks. Despite the loss, Knecht posted 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting while connecting on 3-of-7 three-point attempts. Once again, he avoided any turnovers, showing maturity with the ball.
Knecht’s Shooting Slumps Raise Concerns
Not every appearance has been as promising. In the three other games, Knecht struggled significantly from long range. In the Summer League games in Las Vegas, Knecht averaged 10.3 points, shooting 27.9% from the field and 23.8% from three.
Dalton Knecht tonight… pic.twitter.com/dUKWm11LkE
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) July 15, 2025
That’s a surprising drop-off for a player who shot nearly 40% from three last season. The Lakers are counting on him to be a reliable shooter, so this stretch is a concern.
Overall scoring efficiency has also dipped. The second-year guard has struggled to find a consistent rhythm and confidence on offense.
A Deeper Look at the Struggles
While the numbers are troubling, there’s more to the story. The Summer League can be a challenging stage, particularly for young players still finding their role. Inconsistent minutes, shifting lineups, and the pressure to impress all play a part.
Knecht also endured a chaotic rookie season. A midseason trade to Charlotte was ultimately rescinded, forcing him back to Los Angeles—a team that had already prepared to move on from him. That type of uncertainty can impact a player’s mental state and development, especially in a critical early stage of a career.
Stay Patient With Knecht
Knecht’s Summer League has featured both flashes of potential and stretches of inefficiency. The inconsistency is noticeable, but not unexpected for a developing young player.
His standout games prove that the tools are still intact. Recent struggles may be more situational than skill-based. Knecht will look to have a good training camp and preseason to bounce back ahead of the regular season.
