As the NBA Draft approaches, mock drafts are consistently pointing to potential landing spots for Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht, particularly at the No. 8 or No. 9 slots. Both the Spurs and Grizzlies, holding these picks, could benefit from Knecht’s scoring abilities to complement their young talent. Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN highlighted Knecht as a valuable pick for different teams in consecutive selections, emphasizing his ability to fulfill team needs and provide excellent value.
8. San Antonio Spurs
With their focus on securing a point guard at No. 4, the Spurs could further bolster their lineup by selecting Dalton Knecht, known for his exceptional shooting skills with a 40% success rate from beyond the arc and dynamic shot-making abilities. As a consensus First Team All-American and ESPN’s No. 8 prospect, Knecht offers immediate NBA readiness, a desirable trait for the Spurs aiming to accelerate their return to playoff contention.
. Memphis Grizzlies
Not a pick Memphis should overthink if it stays put here at No. 9. Knecht is the draft’s most polished perimeter scorer, and our top player who is left on the board after a breakout season at Tennessee. He’s a legit lottery-level player because of what he brings to the table on offense, as a threat away from the ball who can attack closeouts and score at all three levels. The question of how high to take him hangs on how much more teams think he can improve, but this feels like the right place for him. (Woo, ESPN)
NBA.com’s mock draft also predicts Dalton Knecht heading to Memphis, a sentiment echoed by ESPN’s Givony after the withdrawal deadline.
However, projections vary, with potential landing spots ranging from as high as No. 6 with the Hornets to as low as No. 14 with the Trailblazers.
Knecht’s remarkable journey, transitioning from Northern Colorado to Tennessee for his final college season, has been a standout narrative in college basketball. Despite the tougher competition in the SEC, his performance improved, earning him SEC Player of the Year honors. Standing at 6-6, Knecht maintained a 39% three-point shooting average while averaging 21.7 points per game, showcasing his ability to dominate games under coach Rick Barnes’ leadership.
Knecht is considered one of the most pro-ready prospects in the draft, which makes him attractive to those teams who feel ready to win now. The Spurs and Grizzlies both check those boxes, armed with young stars like Victor Wembanyama and Ja Morant, respectively.
The 2024 NBA Draft will begin on Wednesday, June 26th at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.
