Nope. The Los Angeles Lakers did not use their No. 17 overall pick to scoop up Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft. Instead, they have added Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht, who is expected to make an immediate impact on the squad this coming season.
Many fans believe that the Lakers had Lady Luck smiling on them tonight after Knecht, a player that some mock drafts had projected as a top-10 pick, fell on their lap.
Los Angeles Lakers Fans React to Dalton Knecht Pick
Knecht, who led the Volunteers to an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament last term, averaged 21.7 points on 45.8 percent shooting, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, while also knocking down 2.6 triples per game on a 39.7-percent clip as a senior.
He now joins the Lakers as an added threat from deep as LA looks to add as much firepower around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
More than a few Lakers supporters were delighted with how the draft turned out for their beloved Purple & Gold. They took their celebrations to X, formerly Twitter, as they shared their elated reaction to what they consider to be a steal pick:
Dude was projected to go in the top 10. I think it's a steal.
— Woo (@woopreme_) June 27, 2024
CAN'T BELIEVE HE FELL TO THE LAKERS
— tboe 🍌 (@tboe3D) June 27, 2024
Absolute steal LFG !
— Albert (@Lakeshow_323) June 27, 2024
— The Pettiest Laker Fan 🤫 (@ThePettiestLA) June 27, 2024
Getting him at 17 is a steal. He was predicted Top 10 pick!
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) June 27, 2024
We got away with a crime getting this guy here
— 🏁SWANKPIE🏁 (@swankpie) June 27, 2024
Best value pick of the night
— Street Clothes 🧢 (@LeCap623) June 27, 2024
A few other fans, however, could not help but point out that the Lakers passed on Bronny with their first-round pick, which might not sit too well with King James:
AND THERE IT IS – NO BRONNY!
Can’t argue with the pick. DK was the most electric player in college basketball last year!
— Steve 🤙 (@NFTbark) June 27, 2024
Where is brony 😅
— One Small Step (@full_mount727) June 27, 2024
What’s sad is he’s better than bronny and will still be overshadowed cause of clout
— GoldenNuggets ⚒️🏆🇺🇸 (@nugsownU15) June 27, 2024
That ain’t Bronny
— Me (@weedhat50s) June 27, 2024
For what it’s worth, the Lakers still have a second-round pick available, so the Bronny dream still isn’t completely dead.
For More NBA Content:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @HardwoodHeroics. You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest NBA news, click here!