Lakers Initially Coveted Bub Carrington Before Selecting Dalton Knecht

The popular belief for any LeBron James-led team is that draft picks should be used to make win-now moves to strengthen the roster. However, the Los Angeles Lakers have opted to retain their last two first-round picks, selecting Jalen Hood-Schifino in 2023 and Dalton Knecht in 2024, both with the 17th overall pick.

While Hood-Schifino has struggled to meet expectations, Knecht has shown promising signs of evolving into a high-impact role player. Many analysts anticipated the former Tennessee Volunteer to be drafted within the top 10, but he surprisingly slipped to the Lakers at No. 17.

Lakers’ Interest in Bub Carrington

Before selecting Knecht, the Lakers had their eyes on another prospect—Bub Carrington. Reports suggest that the Lakers coveted Carrington, but he was picked at No. 14 by the Portland Trail Blazers and later traded to the Washington Wizards, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:

“Around the time Pitt’s Bub Carrington — a player the Lakers had coveted, sources told ESPN — went No. 14 to the Portland Trail Blazers, Knecht started to look like a real possibility.”

Despite not landing Carrington, the Lakers seem pleased with their decision to draft Knecht, who fits seamlessly alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With James and Davis drawing defensive attention, they need a reliable shooter like Knecht to knock down 3-pointers consistently.

Dalton Knecht’s Promising Start

Although Knecht’s rookie season has seen its fair share of ups and downs, he has delivered standout performances, including a 37-point explosion against the Utah Jazz. His ability to stretch the floor and capitalize on open looks makes him a valuable asset.

Meanwhile, Carrington has been having a solid rookie campaign with the Wizards. It will be interesting to see how both players develop over the coming years. However, considering that Carrington was drafted 14th, the Lakers would have needed to trade up to secure him.

LeBron James on Knecht’s Fit with the Lakers

The Lakers have long struggled to find a consistent movement shooter, something that has been lacking in the LeBron James and Anthony Davis era. While previous attempts to fill this void have fallen short, Knecht appears to be a perfect fit despite experiencing a recent shooting slump.

James has expressed confidence in Knecht’s abilities, stating that the rookie fits into any offensive strategy the Lakers aim to implement this season. This optimism highlights Knecht’s potential to play a key role in the team’s future plans.

Conclusion

In hindsight, the Lakers’ decision to draft Dalton Knecht seems like a smart move. While Bub Carrington was a coveted prospect, the Lakers ultimately landed a player who complements their core superstars. With time and development, Knecht has the potential to be a critical piece in the Lakers’ pursuit of another championship.