2024 Draft Prospect: Dalton Knecht

[Bassman]

It’s high time Knecht has his own space. We’re closing in on the draft and this guy is being projected by some mocks to be selected by our Hornets. I really like him as a super fit with our core. Now, as noted in the draft prospect thread, Matt Norlander with CBS Sports has published his annual ranking of draft prospects RELATIVE TO their PROJECTED NBA PERFORMANCE OVER A CAREER. He’s done this for many years. Says this draft overall is the weakest in the last 15 years. But projecting whose career will be best verses where they will be drafted (mock) is unique.

His top pick for best pro career: DALTON KNECHT

Here is his explanation:

I went back and forth a dozen times on who to go with at No. 1. Big picture, I'm betting on the uncertainty of this year's draft class leading to an unsuspecting player winding up as the best pick -- and for that player to get taken outside of the top five. Knecht (21.7 ppg, 4.9 rpb, 39.7 3pt% at Tennessee) is the choice, effectively beating guys at 2, 3 and 4 by millimeters. I'm gambling on picking him to be the best NBA player of 2024's draft class because of his dead-eye aim, his size, confidence, toughness and ability to be a flamethrower in the NBA. Knecht's fit could be paramount to meeting his potential; in that respect I acknowledge this is a stretch to project him having the best career of the bunch. The shot will translate, as will his turbo motor and confrontational athleticism. He's got range on defense and is a vocal presence on the floor. There were stretches last season when he threatened Zach Edey's claim to being the most impactful player in college hoops. Bet on scoring, bet on shooters, bet on big wings who pile up points in bunches. Bet on Dalton Knecht.

[fatlever]

I just can't wait for the time that he hits a three and gets fouled. He walks up to the line and Eric Collins makes a Knecht Four joke

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

[GoBobs]

Shooting is the most important skill for any non center. Hard to see him making it past Houston and Detroit which are both starved for shooting. Anything could happen in this draft though.

[Liver_Pooty]

What are his measurable? Vert? Etc? I know he can shoot. I'm intrigued though.

[Diop]

What are his measurable? Vert? Etc? I know he can shoot. I'm intrigued though.

Hand length — 8.50 inches
Hand width — 9.50 inches
Height without shoes — 6-foot-5.25
Standing reach — 8-foot-10.50
Weight — 212.2 pounds
Wingspan — 6-foot-9

Knecht had the fastest time in the shuttle run (2.79 seconds), was second fastest in the lane agility drill (10.56 seconds) and was 11th in three-quarter sprint (3.07 seconds). He finished 12th in max vertical (39.0 inches) and 18th in standing vertical (31.0).

He was also second in spot-up shooting, making 84% of his shots in the drill, and was fourth in on-the-move shooting, averaging 72.0%.

[Chapelchilla]

What are his measurable? Vert? Etc? I know he can shoot. I'm intrigued though.

Hand length — 8.50 inches
Hand width — 9.50 inches
Height without shoes — 6-foot-5.25
Standing reach — 8-foot-10.50
Weight — 212.2 pounds
Wingspan — 6-foot-9

Knecht had the fastest time in the shuttle run (2.79 seconds), was second fastest in the lane agility drill (10.56 seconds) and was 11th in three-quarter sprint (3.07 seconds). He finished 12th in max vertical (39.0 inches) and 18th in standing vertical (31.0).

He was also second in spot-up shooting, making 84% of his shots in the drill, and was fourth in on-the-move shooting, averaging 72.0%.

Good measurables, good shooter, good attitude, good NBA type skills for his position, good bit of "got that dawg in him"
Good pick for us

[Rich4114]

I just can't wait for the time that he hits a three and gets fouled. He walks up to the line and Eric Collins makes a Knecht Four joke

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

omG - you should submit this to him somehow. Maybe via Ashley since I don't think Eric or Dell are on social media

[JMAC3]

I purchased the No Ceilings draft guide.

Knecht was pretty underwhelming vs some of the other college guys in terms of Points Per Shot.

P&R Handler 0.85 - 67 percentile
Transition 1.17 - 70th percentile
Off Screen 0.96 - 56th percentile
Spot Up 1.22 - 94th percentile
Dribble Jumper 0.74 - 40th percentile
Rim Finishing 1.19 - 61st percentile

[JMAC3]

Compare that to someone say Devin Carter

P&R Handler 01.00 - 89 percentile
Transition 1.25 - 79th percentile
Isolation 0.95 71st percentile
Spot Up 1.02 - 70th percentile
Dribble Jumper 0.92 - 73rd percentile
Rim Finishing 1.32 - 82nd percentile

[MPM]

Interesting. Carter seems like the guy everyone knows will be very good but no one wants to bet their top 10 pick on. He may surprise.

[fatlever]

I just can't wait for the time that he hits a three and gets fouled. He walks up to the line and Eric Collins makes a Knecht Four joke

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

omG - you should submit this to him somehow. Maybe via Ashley since I don't think Eric or Dell are on social media

knecht after dishing out a sweet assist "the knechtor"

of course, having fun with his first name "i thought you'd be bigger" hopefully everyone gets that one

[Rich4114]

I just can't wait for the time that he hits a three and gets fouled. He walks up to the line and Eric Collins makes a Knecht Four joke

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

omG - you should submit this to him somehow. Maybe via Ashley since I don't think Eric or Dell are on social media

knecht after dishing out a sweet assist "the knechtor"

of course, having fun with his first name "i thought you'd be bigger" hopefully everyone gets that one

lol, alright we better not get too excited too soon on this

[SWedd523]

omG - you should submit this to him somehow. Maybe via Ashley since I don't think Eric or Dell are on social media

knecht after dishing out a sweet assist "the knechtor"

of course, having fun with his first name "i thought you'd be bigger" hopefully everyone gets that one

lol, alright we better not get too excited too soon on this

With all the rumors you can't exactly fault guys for Knechting the dots

[Rich4114]

knecht after dishing out a sweet assist "the knechtor"

of course, having fun with his first name "i thought you'd be bigger" hopefully everyone gets that one

lol, alright we better not get too excited too soon on this

With all the rumors you can't exactly fault guys for Knechting the dots

[JDR720]

With our injury issues all I care about is how well his ligaments are knechted together.

[JDR720]

The Ball Knechtion

When LaMelo assists Dalton.

[MPM]

Although not the biggest of fans, I'd never disknecht.

[HornetJail]

I don't know anything about this guy but I want to point out an 8'10.5 standing reach is almost identical to Cody Zeller LOL

[lmcguir15]

Not saying Knecht is bad prospect per se, but I'm out on him for the Hornets. No reason for them to take one of the oldest players in the draft. They should be taking swings on younger players. Apologies if that's an oversimplification.

[Bassman]

Not saying Knecht is bad prospect per se, but I'm out on him for the Hornets. No reason for them to take one of the oldest players in the draft. They should be taking swings on younger players. Apologies if that's an oversimplification.

I get it, and the past records of older prospects, etc. Knecht is unique. He spurted up in height as he was in junior college. Took time to develop his game to go with his body, a true late bloomer. He’s more ready to go than a lot of those youngins ahead of him.

What is our time line as a team? Knecht isn’t going to negatively impact what we’re going to achieve with Melo, Miller or Mark…he is aligned with them age wise. So, if at 6 and our choices are Knecht, Cody, Holland, how long do we want to wait for the teenagers to learn the game enough to hope they can contribute?

Just a different perspective.