Shannon Sharpe Says Dalton Knecht Will Turn Lakers Into Championship Contenders

Former All-Star tight end turned sports commentator Shannon Sharpe explained on Nightcap Show earlier this week that he believes Knecht couldn't have landed in a better situation: 

"He can shoot it. He's perfect because LeBron can find him anywhere. He can find him from crosscourt, he can hit him with a hammer pass. If LeBron drives, he can kick from one side to the other. He [Dalton Knecht] couldn't have gone to a better place."

But it's not just Knecht's shooting that's turning heads. Sharpe pointed out that the 23-year-old rookie has showcased an all-around offensive game that few expected:

"He's a scorer. He can do more than shoot the three. I watch him put the ball on the floor and flush it. I watch him get all the way to the rim on people."

Sharpe continued, explaining that what makes Knecht particularly valuable is his reliability - something the Lakers have desperately needed:

"Prior to him, they could get streaky. LeBron could get hot, Austin Reaves could get hot, D-Lo could get hot, AD could make a couple, but they didn't have a guy who... when he shoots it, you expect it to go in. That's what they need [to win championships]."

Sharpe isn't the first to give high praise to the rookie guard. Everyone from Charles Barkley to Stephen A. Smith have reiterated the same points. The natural question for any rookie is whether or not they can maintain, or if their hot streaks are just a passing phase. After multiple near-perfect performances, the question isn't whether Knecht can maintain this level of play - it's how many teams are regretting their draft-night decisions.