5 2024 NBA Draft prospects who should be on Raptors' radar
By Tyler Watts
3. Dalton Knecht
The Raptors need help on both ends of the floor. They are 19th in offensive rating this season and 23rd on defense. Toronto cannot expect any rookie to solve all of their problems, but they are 24th in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage. Getting a strong floor spacer should open things up for Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley to attack.
Knecht transferred to Tennessee for his final season and has been unstoppable. He is averaging 20.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 47.7 percent shooting from the field and 40.3 percent on his threes. The 6’6 wing netted over 20 a night for Northern Colorado last season, but doing it in the SEC has significantly improved his draft stock.
His age will hold him back slightly. Knecht turns 23 before draft night and is older than Scottie Barnes. The Raptors want to jump back into contention quickly, so it should not matter. If Knecht can come in and immediately make shots and give the Raptors more offensive juice, it is a win.
There are questions about Dalton Knecht’s defense and playmaking chops at the next level. Having a 6’6 wing capable of shooting over 40 percent from 3-point range is a massive plus. The Toronto Raptors can figure out the rest if Knecht falls to them in the middle of the first round.