Last year, the Lakers opted not to pick Cam Whitmore at the No. 17 spot. This year, when faced with a similar situation, they chose Dalton Knecht, emphasizing a player ready to contribute immediately to their winning goals.
On Wednesday, the Lakers surprised everyone by selecting Dalton Knecht with the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, a move not predicted by any mock drafts prior to the night.
Why did none of the mock drafts have the Lakers picking Knecht? Because most expected him to be taken somewhere in the top 10. Instead, he fell unexpectedly to the middle of the draft, where the Lakers seized the opportunity to draft the sharpshooter from Tennessee.
This decision marks a significant departure from last year, when the Lakers passed on Cam Whitmore, who also slipped in the draft. In the lead-up to the 2023 NBA Draft, Whitmore was highly touted and projected as a top-10 pick, with some mock drafts placing him as high as fifth overall to the Pistons. In contrast, leading up to this year’s draft, Knecht was similarly regarded as a top prospect, mocked as high as sixth overall to the Hornets.
Last year, the Lakers seemed set on drafting Hood-Schifino, even if it meant passing on a potentially better player who fell to them. While Hood-Schifino has promise as a point guard, he was considered a long-term project, which didn’t align with LeBron James’ window for immediate success.
Fans grew frustrated as players drafted immediately after Hood-Schifino contributed significantly, such as Jaime Jaquez Jr., Brandin Podziemski, and Cam Whitmore.
Looking back, Hood-Schifino shows potential, but those drafted after him have proven more effective in the short term, which brings us to this year’s draft.
In 2024, the Lakers faced a similar situation as the previous year: picking 17th after a playoff exit, with a top prospect unexpectedly sliding down the draft board. This time, the Lakers didn’t hesitate. They had Knecht ranked highly on their draft board and were determined not to let him slip away.
Could Knecht be the steal of the draft? Only time will tell. But at the moment of selection, experts unanimously considered him the best available player for the Lakers at 17. It was a low-risk, high-reward move given Knecht’s expected lottery-level talent.
Unlike last year, where their draft decision sparked regrets, the Lakers are now focused on moving forward and correcting past mistakes. With changes in coaching and roster moves, they aim to improve from a seventh seed to a top contender in the Western Conference.
The draft process remains unpredictable, and while expectations may lean towards selecting Bronny James at 55, the Lakers have shown they’re prepared for anything after their strategic move with Knecht.
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