Scouting 1st Round Pick Dalton Knecht: Is he an NBA Scorer? Can the Defense Improve?

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The consensus opinion coming out of the first round of the NBA Draft was that the Lakers picked up, if not a steal of the night, a steal in Tennessee guard/forward Dalton Knecht.

Well, to learn more about the guy, we went to someone who watched every game the guy played with the Volunteers. Ric Butler covers Tennessee sports for Rocky Top Insider. Happily for Lakers fans, he agreed the Lakers really got themselves a fantastic player at 17, and when you add the value of where he was drafted, all the better. Among the things discussed with Ric:

• Knecht's development at Tennessee. The context of what was expected him when he arrived, and how he adapted to those expectations. He was asked to do a very hard task, and responded with flying colors.
• What his strengths are offensively, and how that fits into what people expect at the NBA level.
• What his defense looks like. Is it perhaps better than advertised? If so, where? What stands for some improvement?
• Does Knecht still have some upside, even though he's an "old" prospect at 23?

It's great context for fans who want to learn more about a player who went from a guy on nobody's radar a year ago to the SEC Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, Bronny James was drafted, no surprise, by the Lakers at 55. Was that a good idea for the LA? For Bronny, himself?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers draft Dalton Knecht. We scout him with Ric Butler of Rocky Top Insider.
SEGMENT 2: What are Knecht's strengths and weaknesses? Opportunities for growth?

SEGMENT 3: Reacting to the interview, and talking Bronny at 55.

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