The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Tennessee sharpshooter Dalton Knecht with the 17th overall pick, a move seen as a perfect fit under new head coach JJ Redick. Knecht, known for his three-level scoring and shooting prowess, was projected to be a top-10 pick but fell to the Lakers, much to their delight. Despite his unconventional journey through junior college and multiple transfers, Knecht was named SEC Player of the Year last season. Redick immediately began designing plays to integrate Knecht into the Lakers' offensive scheme, highlighting the team's high hopes for his contributions in the upcoming season. Lakers' GM Rob Pelinka and Redick view Knecht as a valuable immediate contributor alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The selection has been celebrated, particularly in Knecht's hometown of Enderlin, North Dakota, where his family hosted a draft party.