Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht had a rare and valuable opportunity in his first NBA season. He learned directly from some of the league’s biggest stars, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Luka Doncic.
In a recent rapid-fire interview, Knecht was asked to describe his “Welcome to the NBA” moment. Without missing a beat, he recalled a fearless and unforgettable first practice with the Lakers’ superstars where he even tried to dunk on AD.
“I’d say my first practice with AD and Bron. That was my first welcome to the NBA moment. I tried to dunk on AD, and, you know, AD’s a great shot blocker,” Knecht said.
Dalton Knecht really tried to dunk on AD in his FIRST NBA PRACTICE :skull: pic.twitter.com/9k9kFYAND6
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) June 30, 2025
The Lakers chose Knecht with the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Over the course of the season, he featured in 78 regular-season games, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.
For the Lakers’ rookie, transitioning from college basketball to the NBA was no small feat. He spoke candidly about the physical and mental adjustment needed to handle a full 82-game schedule.
“It’s kind of the biggest challenge, you know. First 82 games as a rookie, it’s kind of different from college. It’s just 40 games,” he said.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Dalton Knecht Learns Consistency And Focus From LeBron James
Knecht also shared what it meant to have LeBron James as a teammate during his first year. The advice from the four-time NBA champion stuck with him.
“Yeah, I learned a lot. He told me to always just stay consistent and always say who you are and always stay in the lab. He knows that I’m big on being in the gym. So, you know, that’s something that he always said is just stay up to your base and make sure you’re always just doing what you love,” Knecht recalled.
Dalton Knecht’s future with the Lakers is not yet firmly established. But his first year in the NBA offered a solid foundation. With lessons from legends, Knecht now looks ahead to turning that knowledge into continued growth in his NBA journey.
Also Read: REPORT: LeBron James Could Be Leaving The Los Angeles Lakers
