Markieff Morris reveals his private message to LA Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht.
The Los Angeles Lakers have done well in the 2024-25 NBA season and it’s due to the great efforts of numerous players on the roster.
Among them is the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Dalton Knecht. The sharpshooter made a name for himself with his razor-sharp shooting from beyond the three-point line.
However, Knecht’s form recently took a dip, primarily after being traded to the Charlotte Hornets, albeit as briefly as the move lasted.
In a matter of a few days, Knecht found himself back with the Lakers after the Mark Williams trade fell through. While DK was back on the Lakers, he went through a shooting slump.
The mental toll of getting traded in the middle of his rookie season and the move falling through isn’t something that every player gets to experience. So Knecht’s mental block was understandable.
With that said, Lakers veteran Markieff Morris took notice and made sure to help the star rookie regain his confidence.
“Be ready. No matter what, be you. When you get the ball, just go be you. And play like how you play, confidently, how you played at Tennessee,” Morris revealed, via the Los Angeles Times.
The 35-year-old added: “At the end of the day, just be you. Be ready to shoot. Stay confident. If they wanted the trade, like who gives a f—? Go out there and stay confident.”
Kieff’s words of wisdom helped Knecht regain his smile and form for the Lakers as he played a crucial role in the team’s recent eight-game winning streak.
It will be interesting to see how head coach JJ Redick using the now-motivated Knecht for the rest of the season and the playoffs.
Knecht has played in 59 games for the Lakers this season, where he has averaged 9.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game.
While these numbers are solid for a rookie on a championship contender, he could have done even better if he hadn’t lost his focus after the failed trade to the Hornets.
In fact, Knecht’s last few games have really impressed Lakers legend James Worthy, who is glad that the trade was rescinded.
On the other hand, 7x NBA champion Robert Horry claimed Knecht would have won the NBA Rookie of the Year award on any team not named the Lakers.
All things considered, DK has a bright future ahead of him if he can find a way to be more consistent for the rest of his career.
