Lakers remain patient with Dalton Knecht; Wizards forecast to finish with league-low 14 wins; Hall of Famers label Evan Mobley an MVP threat
lakers-knecht-wizards-projection-mobley-mvp
July 2024 — Three franchises are heading into the upcoming NBA season with very different storylines: Los Angeles is still investing in second-year guard Dalton Knecht, analytical models are projecting a rough winter in Washington, and two Hall of Famers believe Cleveland’s Evan Mobley could jump into the MVP race.
Lakers
After an encouraging start to his rookie campaign, Dalton Knecht saw his numbers slide as opponents adjusted. Over his first 19 games, the perimeter specialist averaged 12.2 points while hitting nearly 44 percent from three-point range. By season’s end, those figures had dropped to 8.1 points and 34.8 percent, and his defensive shortcomings became more noticeable.
A difficult Summer League — 32 percent shooting overall and 23 percent from deep — cooled external interest. Rival executives told The Athletic’s Dan Woike that Knecht’s trade value has fallen from late first-round territory to a package of second-round picks “maybe one.”
Head coach JJ Redick insisted the organization is not moving on. “I’m very confident that when he’s confident, he’s a high-level offensive player in the NBA,” Redick said, adding that the guard must show consistent effort in defense, rebounding and communication. Knecht is entering the second season of a four-year rookie contract, giving Los Angeles time to determine whether the early-season version or the late-season version proves lasting.
Wizards
ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton projects the Wizards to win just 14.2 games — the lowest figure his model has produced since 2010 and six games below the franchise’s betting over/under of 20.5. Pelton wrote that Washington’s roster, stripped by multiple trade-deadline and offseason deals, does not feature a single player ranking among the league’s top 130.
With president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins deep in a rebuild, expectations center on player development and draft positioning rather than victories. Even surpassing 20 wins would do little to shift the organization’s long-term focus.
Cavaliers
On an NBA TV broadcast, Hall of Famers Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony predicted 23-year-old forward Evan Mobley could reach MVP conversation this season. “I think he could be an MVP candidate,” McGrady said, noting that a leap on offense paired with elite defense could keep Cleveland near the top of the Eastern Conference. Anthony echoed the sentiment, stating that true MVPs “have to be loud” by dominating both ends for a winning team.
Mobley captured Defensive Player of the Year honors last season, made his first All-Star team and averaged a career-best 18.5 points. Team president Koby Altman has indicated the Cavaliers want more of the offense to run through the 7-footer under new head coach Kenny Atkinson. Mobley finished 10th in last year’s vote after receiving one first-place ballot; another jump could strengthen his case and solidify Cleveland’s status in the East.
Source: Hoops Wire
