Player: Dalton Knecht
School: Tennessee
Height: 6’6
Class: Senior
Stats: 20.2ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.0apg, 48 percent from the floor, 39 percent from three
The Charlotte Hornets were able to make some moves around the trade deadline, and they certainly have some young talent to build around in the coming years. However, the season still hasn’t been what many had hoped for, and it looks like the Hornets will again be high in the upcoming NBA Draft this year.
So, we are starting to look at a few players of interest for Charlotte.
One player that has skyrocketed up the draft boards and has only gotten better year after year, level after level has been Senior 6’6 Dalton Knecht from Tennessee. The Hornets have their point guard in LaMelo Ball, a small forward and rising star in Brandon Miller, and they have Miles Bridges and Mark Williams/Nick Richards around the basket. Shooting guard could be an area to look at, and Knecht certainly be a player of interest, depending on where the Hornets ultimately fall of course. He has been able to thrive on so many levels, and he brings a strong frame, fluid shot-making from multiple levels, can make plays off the bounce and embrace contact, moves well without the ball and gets to his spots, efficient on the court especially inside, has shown his ability to rebound, and is one that can create his shot in attacking but also smooth fluid release.
Could Dalton be that Gordon Hayward-type of player that the Hornets were hoping for? You can see some similarities in; you can see their stats line up in some ways, though Dalton I think brings more athleticism to the table, both can be effective shooters and made tough plays off the dribble as well. Though there are differences as well, the Hornets could be looking to fill that shooting guard position and Knecht may be an option.