In the eyes of the skeptics, the Los Angeles Lakers are a two-man show with an intriguing cast of players who may or may not fit around them. It’s an understandable take considering Anthony Davis and LeBron James were All-NBA players in 2023-24, yet the team finished 47-35 and lost in the first round of the playoffs.

The Lakers are a far more talented team than they’re often given credit for, however, and rival executives have acknowledged the presence of a potential foundational piece.

Los Angeles spent the offseason investing in its current core, re-signing Max Christie and embracing a new player development initiative. One of the rare exceptions to the Lakers’ inactivity was the selection of Dalton Knecht in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

In the recent release of the 2024-25 NBA GM Survey, it was revealed that Knecht received votes as the answer to the question: “Which rookie will be the best player in five years?”

In a six-way tie, Knecht also received the most votes of any incoming rookie as the answer to the question: “Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?”

It’s far from a guarantee of future success, but it’s a promising sign that most NBA general managers seem to agree that Knecht was a steal with significant upside.

Knecht entered the 2024 NBA Draft as a projected top-10 pick by analysts across every corner of the basketball community. Once the event arrived, however, his age, 23, seemed to dissuade general managers from adding him to their rosters.

It was a baffling turn of events considering Knecht won the 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year award, due in no small part to how perfectly his game fits the modern era.

At 6’5.25″ without shoes and 212 pounds with a 6’9″ wingspan, Knecht checked every box from a measurement perspective. He also recorded a 39.0″ max vertical leap and ranked No. 1 at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine in the shuttle run, No. 2 in the lane agility drill, and No. 12 in the three-quarter sprint.

In addition to being the physical prototype for an NBA wing, Knecht is arguably the best shooter in this draft class—as well as a three-level scorer who can get to his spots and finish above the rim.

The Lakers were the beneficiaries of that questionable decision, as the 23-year-old shockingly fell to No. 17 overall. The incoming rookie will now have a chance to spend his first NBA season alongside two of the best players ever in Davis and James.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick already seems to know how to utilize Knecht’s talents alongside them, and has boldly stated that the former Tennessee star ranks in the top one percent of shooters.

As rival general managers see it, Knecht was the biggest steal of the 2024 NBA Draft—or at least tied with five others. He also has a chance to be one of the best players to emerge from his class, with the perfect skill set and athletic gifts for this era.

It’s all talk until the regular season games finally begin, but Knecht is looking more and more like the player who can help guide the Lakers to a brighter future.