JJ is all business.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ recent draft decision has quickly gained the support of their new head coach, J.J. Redick.
With the selection of Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht at the No. 17 spot in Wednesday’s NBA draft, Redick has already demonstrated a proactive approach to integrating the young player into the team’s strategy.
Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations, Rob Pelinka, shared with reporters that Redick was immediately engaged following the draft pick, illustrating his readiness to harness Knecht’s potential. “He was already at his whiteboard drawing up pindowns and ATO and actions where he could run a movement shooter off screen,” Pelinka remarked. It’s clear that Redick is eager to optimize Knecht’s abilities, particularly noting how his mind was “already working on drawing up plays for Dalton.”
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Knecht comes off an impressive season where he averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over 36 games for the Volunteers.
His standout performance not only led his team to the Elite Eight but also earned him accolades such as SEC Player of the Year, NCAA All-Region, and a spot as a consensus All-American. His sharpshooting skills are expected to be a significant asset for the Lakers, who are striving to advance their position in the Western Conference.
The team, which posted a 47-35 record last season and faced a first-round playoff exit against the Denver Nuggets, is in a phase of reconstruction and looking to ascend the conference rankings.
This transition period for the Lakers also marked the end of Darvin Ham’s tenure as head coach, paving the way for Redick’s appointment.
Despite this being Redick’s inaugural coaching role at a professional level, his extensive experience as a 15-year NBA veteran and a distinguished collegiate player equips him with a unique perspective.
This background, particularly his understanding of the athlete’s journey from college to professional basketball, positions him well to relate to and develop a player like Knecht.
From Pelinka’s enthusiastic comments, it’s evident that Redick is off to a promising start in his coaching career, already taking active steps to mold the team’s new talent into a cohesive and competitive force in the league.