LeBron James really did predict Lakers rookie's success

Knecht tied a rookie record by hitting nine three-pointers in the Lakers' 124-118 win over the Utah Jazz, which improved their record to 10-4 and 2-0 in the NBA Cup. The No. 17 pick in this year's draft scored a career-high 37 points on only 16 shots in his third NBA start.

James was in on Knecht after his performance in the NCAA Tournament, where he averaged 26 points, including 37 in an Elite Eight battle with Zach Edey's Purdue team. After that game, a 72-66 Purdue win, James praised both Edey and Knecht, crediting those "great players" for driving viewers to the game.

Over the years, James has periodically — and retroactively — claimed to have foreknowledge of events. An example is Kobe Bryant's 81-point game, before which LeBron said he told a friend that Bryant was "probably going to go for 70."

James also claimed he knew Migos was going to be big and that he listened to them all the time during the 2010-11 season, his first in Miami, despite their first mix tape not coming out until August 2011.

But this time, James has the receipts to back up his prediction. Still, he doesn't credit himself or the Lakers front office for recognizing the talent of Knecht, who was a first-team All-American last season. Rather, James said that the 16 teams drafting ahead of the Lakers at No. 17 messed up.

Warning: NSFW

Knecht does look like quite a find so far. He's shooting over 40 percent from three-point range and over 60 percent on twos. Knecht is doing the majority of his damage from behind the arc, which is perfect for a Lakers team with two dominant inside players in James and Anthony Davis but still wants to increase its three-point volume.

Going forward, Knecht could carve out even more playing time in a Lakers rotation that doesn't have a player like him. For the Lakers going forward, GM Rob Pelinka should keep paying close attention to his superstar's opinions about the NCAA Tournament. And emerging hip-hop trios.