“Situational Evaluation” is a sequence of articles that seeks to look at the circumstances that almost all usually affect an NBA prospect’s success. Every participant will probably be scored on a scale from 1-10 in 4 completely different classes: NBA-specific ability(s), deadly flaw(s), collegiate/abroad/pre-NBA surroundings, and best NBA ecosystem.
Dalton Knecht is a 23-year-old wing from Fargo, North Dakota, who averaged 21.7 factors, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for the Tennessee Volunteers. He’s anticipated to be chosen within the lottery. NBADraft.internet at the moment has him projected at No. 10.
NBA-Particular Abilities
Whereas most of this yr’s lottery prospects deliver theoretical upside to the desk, Dalton Knecht brings productiveness.
Tennessee requested Knecht to do every thing final season, and he delivered practically 22 factors a recreation on robust effectivity. As his tasks elevated, so did his stage of play. He drilled practically 40% of his 3-point makes an attempt final season on 6.5 makes an attempt a recreation, a lot of them off the bounce or on the transfer.
He wasn’t only a one-dimensional long-range bomber, both. Knecht tenaciously attacked closeouts and confirmed the flexibility to complete in visitors with both hand. If he’s enjoying with a ball-dominant playmaker, Knecht can get buckets off cuts and even the occasional lob end. There’s even a shocking bully-ball recreation at his disposal if a workforce tries to cover a smaller defender.
He’s a stout 6-6, 215 with terrific bounce (39-inch max vert) and size (8-7.5 standing attain) – terrific two-guard measurables on the subsequent stage.
Knecht isn’t a tunnel-vision gunner. Though Tennessee required him to shoulder a heavy scoring load, Knecht is a prepared passer with good courtroom imaginative and prescient and contact on his passes.
Whereas most of his lottery brethren require some artistic considering and projecting, Knecht takes the guesswork out it. He’s a rock-solid capturing guard with shades of Michael Redd (optimistic) and Corey Kispert (reasonable) to his recreation.
On a scale from 1-10, Knecht’s productiveness is a 9.
Deadly Flaws
Dalton Knecht was born on April 19, 2001. Listed here are some present NBA gamers born in 2001: Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley. 2002: Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Alperen Sengun, Brandon Miller.
You get the concept.
Knecht will probably be 23 years previous the day he first places on an NBA jersey. What you see proper now’s seemingly what you may be getting for almost all of his rookie contract. The danger is decrease, however so is the potential development curve.
Knecht has additionally proven some struggles when defended by NBA-level size and athleticism. He has solely performed one yr of SEC-level basketball, and whereas he was extraordinary in a lot of these video games, his worst outings got here in opposition to Mississippi State (3-6, 8 factors in a blowout loss), NC State (1-7, 2 factors in 19 minutes), and Kansas (4-17 capturing in a 9-point loss). Athletes with equal size/bounce can drive Knecht off his spots. It’s honest to level out that he additionally had a number of monster video games in opposition to high opponents, as effectively – a number of 30+-point outbursts in opposition to high SEC defenses, the 37 he posted in a tricky loss to Purdue within the tourney – however it’s one thing scouts and entrance workplaces are monitoring.
Defensively, Knecht should show he can maintain up in opposition to NBA expertise. He’s a bodily, hard-nosed rebounder, however his largest adjustment from faculty to the professionals will probably be navigating screens and staying in entrance of the NBA’s predatory wing scorers. If he can’t, his offensive skillset may not be sufficient to avoid wasting him.
On a scale from 1 (not a priority) to 10 (critical hindrance), Knecht’s defensive limitations fee at a 9.
Pre-NBA Setting
Knecht’s rise to potential lottery standing is about as unlikely as anybody’s on this draft. From a sub-6-foot excessive schooler in suburban Denver to a junior faculty star to a mid-major to the SEC, Knecht proves that NBA expertise can come from wherever, offered you make the most of an unlimited development spurt alongside the best way.
Knecht reworked himself from a jitterbug level guard with deep capturing vary right into a rock-solid wing with hops during the last 5-6 years, all whereas sustaining his guard abilities.
Final season, Knecht crammed his trophy case with each conceivable award – SEC Participant of the Yr, First Group All-American, convention Newcomer of the Yr, the Julius Erving Award (nation’s greatest small ahead), and a terrific displaying within the NCAA Match earlier than the Volunteers bowed out to Purdue within the Elite Eight.
On a scale from 1-10, Knecht’s lengthy and winding pre-NBA profession charges at an 8.5.
Supreme NBA Ecosystem
Given his age and his NBA-ready recreation, Knecht offers considerably extra worth to a workforce that has its sights set on competing straight away. Cross off the Pistons, the Path Blazers, the Wizards, and the Hornets.
Although the Spurs gained solely 22 video games final yr, I’m of the opinion that they’re able to compete a lot prior to a typical 22-win workforce, given what we count on to see from Victor Wembanyama. If the popular playmakers are off the board at this level, Knecht at 8 makes a number of sense.
The likeliest match is Utah at No. 10. The Jazz gained 31 video games and will sneak their means into the play-in dialog behind Lauri Markkanen. Knecht would come into the league 2.5 years older than their different rising wing star, Keyonte George – I like how their video games complement each other.
Elsewhere within the lottery, Knecht is strictly the form of participant Sam Presti tends to focus on – a shoot/move/dribble standout with a knack for making huge performs. Don’t count on to see Knecht fall under Oklahoma Metropolis at No. 12.
On a scale from 1-10, Knecht’s situational independence is an 8.5. He comes into the league able to play from day one – he simply wants a workforce that able to compete.
