Upsides

• Great shooter

• He is really good at getting to the rim

• He is a good finisher around the rim

• He is elite in transition, gets down the floor before anyone else and is effective at finishing plays at high speeds

• Solid athlete

• Will likely be able to contribute to an NBA team right away

Downsides

• He is an older prospect, so the player he is now will likely be the player he is in the NBA

• Not a good defender at this point

Conclusion

will add scouting report soon

Shades of: Norman Powell, Nnaji Marshall

Likes:

• great finisher at the rim. Knecht is a big guard (6'6, 204lbs) and utilizes his body very well to absorb contact and finish strong.

• good shooter from literally anywhere. averaging 40% from three, is 47% from the field, and has a fine shooting efficiency (0.55). there's just one thing^ that makes me think he won't be as great as a shooter in the NBA, but at the very least he'll be decent.

• very clutch when his team needs him. in games against Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, Knecht really carried his team on his back to either give them a lead, or at least keep them in fighting distance.

• good ball handler. not too flashy but does what needs to be done when the ball is in his hands.

• alright off the ball, cuts and moves to get a shot up. nothing too crazy but puts in some effort.

• improved from last year. Knecht was a transfer from UNCO, and for him to be averaging better stats, while playing 6 minutes less, and also playing in a much more competitive conference, is nothing short of impressive.

• should be an NBA ready player.

• sneakily very athletic.

Issues:

• Knecht is not a good defensive player. he doesn't move his feet quick enough to guard the perimeter and doesn't seem very balanced at times. Knecht is surprisingly not a bad shot blocker in the paint though, but i'm not sure how many opportunities he'll get to block a shot in the paint.

• old, will be 23 on draft night... doesn't have much more upside to him.

• ^i mentioned in the Likes section briefly that there's something about Knecht that makes me think he won't be as great as a shooter in the NBA, and that thing is his FT shooting. not to say Knecht is awful from the line, but he's only 76% from the line. in a lot of the film i watched on him, he's very inconsistent when it comes to his FT shots. in one game, he could miss none of them. the other, he could miss most of them. while i don't think this is a huge issue that we should worry about, it's something to keep in mind when thinking about his shot in general.

• not the best passer. he's really 50/50, he could throw a nice look to his teammate, and then he could throw an awful pass that causes a turnover. for example, i saw him throw a dime to his teammate in the corner, and then throw a bad pass which hit his teammate in the leg. i wouldn't say he has potential to be a good passer, because i feel like he's old enough to have already tapped that potential if he did have any.

• his scoring efficiency could be better. only 1.402, which is a little bit less than mediocre.

• his assist/turnover ratio is also a little bit less than mediocre. it's currently 1.3; Knecht is averaging 1.5 turnovers a game and 2.0 assists a game.

• at risk of averaging too many fouls, currently 1.8 a game.

• doesn't rebound the ball a lot. stats say he does, film doesn't.

--/--

i like Knecht a lot. he'll immediately be a great offensive player in the NBA. his shooting ability, his finishing ability, his clutch ability, his ball handling, is all things i can see teams falling in love with. i wouldn't say he has any real issues, other than his age and his defense.

one of my favorite prospects. super fun to watch and overall, a very good player.

Prospect rating: Mid-High C.

Dalton Knecht - Tennessee (SF - HT: 6’7” - WING: - WT: - A: 23y)

-  Great athletic wing shooter
- Best scorer in the class
- Solid rebounder
- Poor defender
- Not much of a playmaker
- Shades of Max Strus, Jaylen Brown

Range: 5-15, Mid to late lottery

Poste(s) : SG ou SF

Âge : 23 ans

Taille : 1m98

Stats : 21.1pts, 4.9reb, 1.7ast, 0.6stl, 0.6blk

Adresse : 46%fg, 39%3pt, 77%ft

Scoreur de 23 ans (hic) pour 1m98, Knecht est un spécialiste du catch-and-shoot. Parti d'une petite fac, il a forcé le regard des scouts à force de persévérance et su constamment s'imposer comme la 1ère option de son équipe grâce à sa superbe adresse extérieure donc, mais aussi grâce à ses finitions athlétiques près du cercle. À l'aise des deux mains, il est bien plus qu'un simple sniper et gère très bien les prises à deux pour ressortir sur ses coéquipiers. Peut-être souffrira-t-il en NBA face à des joueurs plus petits et rapides, ou plus grands et plus puissants. À moins qu'il ne continue de nous surprendre... Son potentiel de shooteur-slasheur est en tout cas fait pour la NBA.

Overview:

Dalton Knecht is a 6'6", 210-pound senior guard/forward who transferred to the University of Tennessee for his final college season after a successful career at Northern Colorado. He has become a major contributor for the Vols and solidified his status as a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Knecht's well-rounded skillset and experience make him an attractive option for teams seeking a versatile wing player who can contribute immediately.

Strengths:

Efficient scorer: Knecht boasts a diverse offensive arsenal and scores efficiently at all three levels. He has a smooth shooting stroke, knocking down threes at a consistent clip. He can also create his own shot with good handle and footwork, attack the rim with power, and finish through contact effectively. High basketball IQ: Knecht demonstrates a high basketball IQ on both ends of the court. He understands the nuances of the game, makes smart decisions with the ball, and reads defenses well. He can operate effectively within a team system and utilize his skills to benefit his teammates. Strong work ethic and leadership: Knecht is known for his dedication and work ethic, constantly striving to improve his game. He also exhibits strong leadership qualities, providing vocal direction on the court and leading by example. Versatility: Knecht's ability to play multiple positions and contribute in various ways makes him valuable. He can play both on the wing and in the post, handle the ball in transition, and create plays for himself and others.

Weaknesses:

Average athleticism: While not unathletic, Knecht doesn't possess elite athleticism compared to some other top prospects. This might limit his explosiveness and effectiveness as a defender against quicker and more athletic players in the NBA. Defensive consistency: While Knecht has improved defensively, he can still struggle at times against elite scorers. He needs to refine his footwork, anticipate plays better, and consistently use his size and strength to be a more impactful defender. Limited playmaking: While capable of creating for himself, Knecht isn't an elite playmaker for others. He primarily focuses on scoring and can struggle to consistently break down defenses and create open shots for his teammates. Overall:

Dalton Knecht is a polished and productive player with the skills to contribute immediately in the NBA. His efficient scoring, high basketball IQ, and versatility make him a valuable asset for any team. If he can continue to improve his athleticism, defensive consistency, and playmaking, he has the potential to develop into a solid NBA player with a long career ahead.

Additional Notes:

Knecht's late development and transfer to Tennessee increased his draft stock significantly, showcasing his ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive environment. Some scouts compare him to a young Danny Granger due to his shooting, scoring prowess, and work ethic, while others see him as a more versatile player in the mold of Joe Harris. His experience, leadership, and well-rounded skillset make him a safe pick for teams seeking a reliable contributor who can fit seamlessly into different roles. Overall, Dalton Knecht is a player to watch closely in the lead-up to the 2024 NBA Draft. He has the talent and potential to be a valuable asset for any team, and his work ethic and positive attitude suggest he is ready to contribute at the next level.

Strengths:

Terrific Shooter

Good Athleticism

Solid Rebounder

Good Finisher

Solid Off-Ball

Weaknesses:

Older

Average Defender at Best

Player Comparison: Norman Powell

I want to say Knecht has a high ceiling, I just realistically don't think he does. I like Knecht, not just his ability, but the swagger he played with in every big game just made him a must watch.

Offensively, he's him. His 3PT ability is incredible, and as the #1 option with creating off the dribble typically drops percentages, so I'm curious to see him even more off the ball as an amazing complimentary piece. I think he has the prototypical 6th man build as just a walking bucket who does give you a bit more than the buckets.

Defensively, it's nothing special. He has progressively gotten better, and Rick Barnes and Tennessee is a part of that. I don't think he's quite so bad that opponents will target him, but I'm not entirely certain.

Ceiling: Utah Gordon Hayward Floor: Chandler Parsons

Favorite Fits:

1. Memphis Grizzlies

2. Chicago Bulls

3. Oklahoma City Thunder