Rookie Dalton Knecht has been a revelation for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, quickly proving to be one of the top first-year players in the league.
Taken with the 17th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, many believed the Lakers had struck gold in the mid-first round, with the seasoned scoring wing out of Tennessee looking able to contribute immediately.
But even his biggest fans couldn't have imagined the heights he would reach so early into his career - but that still hasn't saved him from being moved to the bench.
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Dalton Knecht benched despite elite scoring run
Knecht showed positive signs as a rookie over the early part of the season, including an 18 point outting against Memphis in just his fifth game in the league.
But it was once teammate Rui Hachimura was sidelined with injury that Knecht fully blossomed, moved into the starting lineup by first year head coach JJ Redick where he averaged nearly 24 points over four games.
This included a 37-point explosion against Utah, in which he tied the rookie record for three-pointers in a game, with nine.
However, his production was not enough to convince Redick to keep him in the first five, moved back to the bench as Hachimura returns.
"[Knecht has] been awesome for us," the Lakers coach said.
"I think for the group, whatever role, as a starter, and I know I talked about that not being a 'role' but whatever designation Dalton has, whether he's coming off the bench or as a starter, I don't think his role changes at all.
"I think for him mentally, there's no affect to that. He's just gonna be the same guy."
Knecht's return to the bench will come against the Denver Nuggets, a rematch of last season's first round series that saw Los Angeles sent home early.
