Imagine being a beginner in the League, serving as a currency by the franchise that drafted you, and finally having to find a few days later your former partner Ancian and the leaders who had just sent you elsewhere. It is in synthesis what experienced Dalton Knecht In recent days.
The Rookie winger thus went from a player well installed in the rotation of JJ Redick again member of the Hornets as part of the exchange around the Mark Williams, to finally never join Charlotte. Russian mountains punctuated Wednesday by a first “return” match in “Purple & Gold” on the side of Utah.
“” It was a crazy moment »A rewind Dalton Knecht in front of the media. “” It looked like it was a film. It was difficult. I was drafted here so Los Angeles counts a lot for me. »»
Two franchises and four cities in five days
On the jazz prosecution, Dalont Knecht did not seem particularly disturbed by events, with 10 points in 17 minutes, including three long distance baskets. However, there would have been enough to gamber after the incredible situation of the last days. The winger was in the middle of a shooting workshop at the Lakers training center last Wednesday, February 5 when Rob Pelinka calls him in his office to tell him that he will be exchanged.
Direction Charlotte by plane the next day to join what seemed to be his new franchise. Then a new flight on Saturday, from Charlotte to Detroit, where he was to play his first match with the Hornets last Sunday. It happened in Michigan that Dalton Knecht receives a new phone call.
“” Rob Pelinka called me and said to me, 'You come back among us' Explained the former uniform player of Tennessee, while Mark Williams' medical examination had not been deemed successful by the Lakers. “” I was just looking forward to playing, it doesn't matter where I was going. »»
Five days after his departure, Dalton Knecht returns to the Lakers offices for an appointment with Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick. “” I just want to play, that's what I said to Rob and JJ. I understand that it is a business, so in the end I said to them: 'Let's just play basketball'“.
Dalton Knecht would prefer to stay at the Lakers
“” I found that he had a good state of mind “Said JJ Redick on Wednesday about his winger. “” He played well. We don't talk about all of this anymore. We talked about it. He is in a good position, it goes well for him and me. »»
A sign of maturity and professionalism for rookie, faced with a chaos very rarely seen in the history of the NBA. And who may not be completely finished since the Hornets dispute the failure of the medical examination of Mark Williams …
“” I just do what I like, go to the field and play “Commented Dalton Knecht, who said he did not” the slightest idea What could happen or if the NBA could restore exchange. “” What will happen will happen. I'm just going to play hard, no matter where I'm going, and I hope it will be in Los Angeles. »»
After this sentence, we dare not imagine what would give any reunion with its very ephemeral teammates of the Hornets if a new stroke of traffic occurs.
| Dalton Knecht | Percentage | Rebound | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | Lf | Off | Def | Early | PD | Fte | Int | COP | Ct | Pts |
| 2024-25 | Lal | 49 | 21 | 46.4 | 36.0 | 81.4 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 9.4 |
| Total | 49 | 21 | 46.4 | 36.0 | 81.4 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 9.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; Off = offensive rebound; Def = defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; Pts = points.
