JJ Redick says Dalton Knecht made big mistake after season that ruined Summer League with LA Lakers

JJ Redick explains excessive training led to Summer League struggles for Dalton Knecht

Knecht’s difficulties continued into the Summer League, where poor performances raised questions about his development trajectory.

Head coach JJ Redick recently revealed the reason behind those struggles and confirmed Knecht’s recovery.

“Dalton is in a really good spot right now. I’ve had a number of conversations with him throughout the summer. They’ve all been very positive,” Redick explained.

“I really believe this. The guy did too much after the season, and I think in Summer League, he was burnt out. He was coming in here at 5am getting shots up, then doing two workouts with our summer league staff and in the weight room.”

The coach identified overtraining as the primary culprit behind Knecht’s summer struggles rather than skill or confidence issues.

The 24-year-old’s work ethic may have actually hindered his performance during the crucial evaluation period.

Dalton Knecht shows renewed energy entering sophomore campaign

Redick reported that Knecht has rebounded strongly and appears ready for his second NBA season with improved physical and mental preparation.

“We had our last conditioning run of the preseason today. He beat everybody by a long, long way. He’s in phenomenal shape. He’s in a great spot mentally. He’s played well throughout September,” Redick stated.

Last season, Knecht averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and shot 37.6% from three-point range.

While those numbers show promise for a rookie, playing for the Lakers brings significant spotlight and pressure.

If Knecht wants to fulfill LeBron’s prediction of stardom, he needs to deliver more consistent production than his rookie campaign while managing the increased expectations that come with his second season in Los Angeles.