Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht. Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

Snoop Dogg sings the praises of Lakers rookie on 'First Take'

By Bernadette Giacomazzo | Last updated Oct 21, 2024 3:18 PM ET

Snoop Dogg has high hopes for the Los Angeles Lakers, and one of their rookies, this season.

Rookie forward Dalton Knecht helped secure an overtime win over the Phoenix Suns on October 17 with 35 points, seven rebounds, two steals, two blocked shots and one assist. Apparently, the showing earned him a nickname from the Doggfather.

"His new name is Westside Knecht," the rap legend said on "First Take." "The Lakers are on a mission. We got everything that we need, everybody's back. It seems like everybody is healthy. I like the pick. I like Knecht, and I like Bronny. We've got some young goons and then LeBron and them are going to do what they've got to do."

Knecht has averaged 18 points, 4.2 rebounds, two assists and 1.4 steals on 36% shooting from three-point range in five games in October.

Despite Snoop Dogg's high aspirations for the team as a whole, the rapper also said that the team is still missing one core element: a solid center.

"We may need to get that one piece," he added.

Charlotte Hornets' center Nick Richards has been a name tossed around as a potential new center for the Lakers after the team previously expressed interest in the player, though the New York Knicks — who just acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from the Timberwolves in September — had also previously expressed interest in Richards.

Regardless, it sounds like Snoop is excited for the season and looking forward to watching Knecht do his thing.

Bernadette Giacomazzo

Bernadette Giacomazzo is an editor, journalist, photographer and publicist with nearly 25 years of experience in the industry. Her work has been featured in People, Teen Vogue, Us Weekly, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, Newsweek, and more. Bernadette is passionate about the business of sports, focusing on the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, and professional wrestling

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