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Tale of Two Lakers Rookies: Knecht's Rise Highlights Bronny's Growing Pains

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Wright | Last updated Nov 28, 2024 11:49 AM ET

The Lakers' 2024 draft class is producing dramatically different returns. While 23-year-old Dalton Knecht has exploded, earning himself several starts and tying the rookie record for most three-pointers in a single game (9), 19-year-old Bronny James continues to search for his NBA footing, averaging just 0.7 points on 16.7% shooting in limited minutes.

The rookies' contrast extends well beyond their statistics. Knecht, the 17th overall pick and SEC Player of the Year from Tennessee, became an integral part of the Lakers' six-game winning streak earlier this season. "He can do more than just shoot. But he's really good at shooting the basketball. We get mad at him when he don't shoot," Anthony Davis said about the young guard. Knecht is currently averaging 11.2 points per game, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, while shooting 50.4% from the field.

Meanwhile, Bronny's development has raised eyebrows around the league. The 55th overall pick's unusual arrangement - splitting time between home G-League games and the NBA roster - drew sharp criticism from Charles Barkley on The Bettor Angle show:

"Awful," Barkley said bluntly. "I thought it was great, a little ceremony his first game. But the kid is not ready to play in the NBA... This thing where he's only gonna play home games. It's stupid, it's not fair to him. It's not fair to the team. Can you imagine the coach of that team? You come off a road trip and you have a player you haven't seen in a week or two. And then you probably feel like you gotta play him."

The numbers tell a stark story. While Knecht's NBA-ready game has translated immediately to the pro level, Bronny's modest collegiate numbers at USC (4.8 points, 2.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds) have dipped even further. Even in the G-League, he's averaging just 5.0 points in 28.5 minutes across two appearances.

Even NBA 2K25's ratings reflect this growing gap. Knecht enters with a 70 rating (tied for 16th in the draft class) while Bronny starts at 68 - though many argue Knecht deserves to be rated higher given his early impact.

While it's far too early to make definitive judgments about either player's career trajectory, one thing is becoming clear: age and experience matter. Knecht's three years of college seasoning have him ready to contribute immediately, while the Lakers' attempt to fast-track Bronny's development might be doing more harm than good.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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