NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett said on the “KG Certified” podcast that Los Angeles Lakers rookie forward Dalton Knecht should win Rookie of the Year. The Boston Celtics legend also said Knecht deserves it because he’s currently Los Angeles’ third option on offense.
NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett believes Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht will win Rookie of the Year
“Ain’t no rookie doing what he [Dalton Knecht] doing… He the third option in front of Austin Reaves and all that [expletive],” said Garnett. “Yeah, I said it, Knecht [expletive]. … West side Knecht.”
Garnett’s comments come a week after Dalton tied the NBA rookie record with nine 3-pointers during the Lakers’ 124-118 win over the Utah Jazz on Nov. 19.
“Ain’t no rookie doing what he (Dalton Knecht) doing… West side Knecht.”
Lord the ROY might be a one-man race right now real shyt my dog West side Knecht been DOING it 💯 He look fearless as a rookie Lord I think he’s the number 3 for the Lakers and a big reason for their… pic.twitter.com/AajLRWL7JB
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) November 25, 2024
Dalton, who the Lakers selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA draft out of the University of Tennessee–Knoxville, made his third consecutive start with Rui Hachimura sidelined due to an ankle injury.
The 6-foot-6 wing scored 21 of the Lakers’ 40 points in the third quarter against Utah, making all six 3-point attempts. He finished with 37 points on 12-of-16 (75%) shooting from the field and 9-of-12 (75%) from deep.
Knecht, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James are the only Lakers players to hit at least nine 3-pointers in a single game
Knecht joined Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as the only Lakers players to make at least nine 3-pointers in a single game. He scored in double figures in four straight games, including 27 or more points in back-to-back contests.
Through 17 games (five starts) of his rookie season, Knecht is averaging 11.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 22.8 minutes per contest while shooting 50.4% from the field, 44% from 3-point range, and 88.9% at the free throw line.
Knecht is ninth in effective field goal percentage (63.9%), 16th in true shooting percentage (65.9%), 14th in offensive rating (129.3), and second in turnover percentage (4%).
However, the season just started and is not even a quarter of the way through. It is way too early to crown a Rookie of the Year. Having said that, Knecht remains one of the favorites to win the award.
According to NBA betting sites, Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers is considered the frontrunner to win the award. He’s averaging 16.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game for an injury-riddled Sixers squad.
