In a recent episode of NBA on TNT, Charles Barkley didn’t hold back his criticism of NBA general managers for letting Dalton Knecht fall to the Los Angeles Lakers in the draft. Barkley, known for his straightforward opinions, called it “one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen”.
Knecht, a standout player from Tennessee, was projected by many analysts to be a top pick. However, he slipped to the Lakers at the 17th pick, much to Barkley’s dismay.
“These NBA general managers don’t have any idea what they’re doing,” Barkley exclaimed. “Letting the Lakers get Dalton Knecht was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen. That’s a bad boy right there. Dalton Knecht: remember that name, y’all .”
“These NBA general managers don’t have any idea what they’re doing. Letting the Lakers get Dalton Knecht was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen. That’s a bad boy right there. Dalton Knecht: remember that name, y’all.”
Charles Barkley on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/aITD3kFb0r
— Josh Ward (@Josh_Ward) October 23, 2024
Barkley’s comments came after Knecht’s impressive debut for the Lakers, where he scored 5 points, 2 assists, and 1 rebound in just 16 minutes of play. Despite the modest stats, Barkley saw enough potential in Knecht to believe that other teams made a mistake by passing on him.
Knecht, who averaged 21.7 points per game at Tennessee, has already shown flashes of his scoring ability in the NBA. His performance in the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he was the only Lakers bench player with a positive plus/minus, further validated Barkley’s praise.
The Lakers’ decision to draft Knecht has already paid dividends, as head coach JJ Redick has shown confidence in the rookie, hinting that he could become a key player off the bench.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if Knecht can live up to Barkley’s expectations and prove that the Lakers made a steal in the draft. One thing is for sure: Barkley won’t hesitate to call out NBA GMs if he feels they’ve missed the mark.
