Prior to the 2024 NBA Draft, there were many fans who wanted the Detroit Pistons to take Dalton Knecht with the 5th pick. Thankfully, the front office doesn’t listen to fans, but if the Pistons wanted to circle around on Knecht, he could be had for a cheap price.
Knecht was eventually drafted 17th by the Lakers, who felt lucky that the college scorer fell into their laps. Knecht was projected to be one of the most NBA-ready prospects, and he did play 78 games for the 3-seeded Lakers in his rookie season.
But LA also tried to trade him and would have had the Mark Williams deal not been nixed at the last moment after he failed a physical.
The Lakers would still like to move Knecht, according to reports, and Sam Vecenie recently speculated about what they could get on a recent episode of the Game Theory podcast. The host said he thought the Lakers could get a 2nd round pick or two for Knecht now, and if that is the case, he might be worth a look.
Detroit Pistons rumors: Is Dalton Knecht worth a flyer?
Knecht is already 24 years old heading into his second season, which would make him one of the older Pistons. His age was one of the knocks against him in the draft and continues to be, as pundits rightfully wonder how much more improvement is ahead for Knecht given that he’s already the age when most players start hitting their prime.
Fans love to label players a “bust” but it really doesn’t apply to Knecht. This guy played 78 games for a playoff team in the Western Conference as a rookie. He averaged 9.1 points per game in just over 19 minutes and shot nearly 38 percent from long range.
These are respectable stats for any rookie, but especially one that was on a good team that was headed to the playoffs with championship aspirations.
He certainly has limitations, especially on the defensive end but as Bryce Simons said on Game Theory, Knecht is not a “negative asset.”
Knecht has two team options left on his deal, so comes with no big financial commitment, and if the price is truly as low as one or two second-round picks, then might be worth a flyer.
Most second-round picks never sniff the league, much less play in 78 games as a rookie, so the question isn’t whether Knecht is better than some of his first-round peers, but whether he will be better than future second rounders when many second-round prospects are now staying in college longer.
Trading for Knecht would essentially be upgrading a second-round pick or two to one just outside the lottery. The Pistons have the perfect Knecht prototype in Duncan Robinson, an unathletic shooter who can’t defend but figured it out and has made a big impact in the league even though he was an older prospect.
Who better to mentor Knecht? The Pistons can’t give up anything of real value for Knecht, but if the cost is just second-round picks, why not?