Last season, the Lakers had opportunities to draft players in the first round that were projected to help an NBA team right away. They had a chance to draft the "lottery guy who falls." They did neither. This year, the same opportunity presented itself, this time with the same player. As names went off the board, University of Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht, one of college basketball's best scorers in his only season with the Volunteers, was still hanging out in the audience. Projected as a lottery pick for most of the last couple months, Knecht was still available when the Lakers made their selection at 17. While nobody was really talking about him as an option—Rob Pelinka said the team had the SEC Player of the Year projected into the top 10—LA jumped at the opportunity. Knecht is a great off-ball offensive player, described by many in the draft as one of the most NBA ready players available. He can score at multiple levels and should be the exact type of offensive player who fits in well with a team anchored by gravity-inducing/attention-demanding players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. How well he develops defensively is a question, and teams may have passed on Knecht due to his age -- 23 at the start of the season. Young for normal people, old for NBA prospects. That limits his upside, potentially, but the Lakers aren't looking for him to develop into a star, just a high end rotation piece with a valuable skill set. His potential to play right away has far more value than hypothetical upside three or so years down the road. Overall, the Lakers (as you'd expect) say they're thrilled. Certainly the pick will grade out well, just because of the perceived value. But in terms of a pick that makes sense for where the Lakers are, it makes sense, too. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers select Dalton Knecht, from Tennessee. SEGMENT 2: Good pick? Bad pick? SEGMENT 3: What happens next? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay Motors From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. PrizePicks Go to https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. FanDuel FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. As playoffs wind down, the sports stop sporting like we want them to. But this summer, FanDuel is hooking up ALL CUSTOMERS with a boost or a bonus, DAILY!That’s right, there’s something for everyone, every day, all summer long! Visit FANDUEL.COM/LOCKEDONand add a big win to your summer bucket list! FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)