Dalton Knecht’s remarkable breakout with the Lakers has become one of the season’s most talked-about stories. Selected 17th overall, the rookie was supposed to be a developmental piece. However, circumstances swiftly changed when the Purple & Gold found themselves without their $51 million star, Rui Hachimura.

With Hachimura sidelined, Dalton stepped into the spotlight, delivering performances that have elevated him as one of the most promising young players in the league. But with Rui Hachimura’s return on the horizon, the Lakers face a decision about Knecht’s role moving forward.

Addressing the situation in the pre-game presser, JJ Redick highlighted the coaching staff’s role in managing Knecht’s minutes effectively while maintaining team cohesion. “Sure, there’s consideration [for keeping Dalton as a starter],” Redick said.

“[But] there’s also consideration what that does to the group. And we certainly had conversations what that might look like [when] Rui’s back in the lineup. I would say right now, like there is no definitive decision. My expectation is that Rui will stay in the starting lineup. He’s been awesome for us. I think, for the group, whatever designation Dalton has, whether he is coming off the bench or as a starter, I don’t think his role changes at all.”

Knecht’s breakout performance vs. the Jazz earlier, where he dropped a career-high 37 points and tied the league’s rookie record with nine treys, has essentially thrust him further into the spotlight. While we are eager to see more from Dalton, JJ Redick has made it clear that his development was the crucial responsibility of the coaching staff.

“As a coaching staff, we have to be cognizant about getting him longer stretches going forward,” the former sharpshooter stated. This measured approach further underscores the Lakers’ commitment to maximize Knecht’s impact, regardless of his “designation.” 

The Tennessee alum has already proven that he can thrive under pressure. The above-mentioned Utah instance is a testament to his elite shooting touch and ability to carry the offense during tough stretches. However, as Redick noted, Dalton Knecht’s minutes have become a talking point. After all, he was a highly coveted draft pick for Rob Pelinka & Co. who believed he could make an immediate impact.

But there is that one thing that could complicate matters.

Rui Hachimura return could leave JJ Redick & Co. with a Knecht problem as the Lakers coach points at areas of improvement

Considering Rui’s strong performance prior to injury, his return might as well complicate the equation further. In 10 games so far, the Gonzaga alum is playing the highest minutes of his career at 33.9 per game. The six-year forward is also averaging 12.7 points while shooting a career-best 50.0% from the deep.

However, Redick’s confidence in Dalton Knecht’s mentality reflects a balancing act. “I think, for him, mentally, there’s no effect at all. He’s just going to be the same guy,” he noted of the North Dakota native’s attitude of being a starter or coming off the bench. But that wasn’t all the young forward was capable of.

Coach Redick also touched upon his defensive growth. Speaking about Knecht’s progress, Redick highlighted the importance of physicality, defensive improvement, and pattern recognition—areas where rookies often face steep learning curves. “I think he’s improving his physicality, both on and off the ball … But I think the biggest part of the learning curve for a rookie is being able to make multiple decisions in a short amount of time during a possession and then going back and doing it again on another possession.”

JJ revealed that it was one of the toughest areas to learn, “but he’s [Dalton] improving there.” However, there’s more to be done. and Knecht has so much potential. “In the long term, I expect him to be a good defender. He’s got the size, he’s got the strength. He definitely has the toughness, competitiveness, and length to be that.”

Knecht’s emergence during a challenging period has been a bright spot for the Lakers, and how the team handles his role in the coming weeks could shape the trajectory of their season.

That said, Dalton is still a rookie and for him, this season is about proving his consistency. His ability to adapt to different roles—whether as a starter or a bench spark—will be key to his long-term success. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ coaching staff, entrusted with managing his minutes and maximizing his contributions, play a pivotal role in this process.