NBA fans have resurfaced an old video of LeBron James showing love to Dalton Knecht, who is now the NBA legend’s teammate.
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Tennessee product Knecht with the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
The Lakers saw projected top-10 pick Knecht fall to their selection.
The 23-year-old had a sensational senior season with the Volunteers and helped them advance to the 2023-24 NCAA Tournament before his season ended.
After Knecht was drafted by Los Angeles, NBA fans quickly found an earlier clip of his now-teammate LeBron praising the 6-foot-9 forward.
“We watched the Purdue-Tennessee game because of Zach Edey and (Dalton) Knecht,” James said earlier this spring.
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“The players, depending on who they are, will draw attention as far as the audience is concerned.”
James praised Knecht and Purdue Boilermakers star Zach Edey after the Elite Eight matchup.
Edey scored 40 points in 39 minutes during Purdue’s win, while Knecht scored 37 points in 37 minutes.
Knecht will now play alongside LeBron and fellow star Anthony Davis.
James is expected to re-sign with the Lakers and play under newly hired head coach JJ Redick.
Knecht averaged a career-high 21.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in 36 starts at Tennessee last season.
He was one of five finalists for the Wooden Award and received consensus first-team All-American honors.
And Knecht was even more incredible in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 26 points per game and showing his range throughout the Vols’ four postseason contests.
His shooting skills could resemble Lakers teammate Austin Reeves.
Knecht will be able to learn from Reeves and Redick, who also played point guard during his NBA playing days.
As for LeBron, he will have until Saturday to decide whether he wants to exercise his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 campaign.
The four-time NBA champion could choose to play one more season with the Lakers, or decline his player option and sign a long-term contract with Los Angeles or look elsewhere.
The Lakers will own the 55th overall pick on Thursday.
There is speculation that the Lakers will use this pick to draft James’ oldest son, 19-year-old USC product Bronny James.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
