The fact that Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht moved to the Los Angeles Lakers as number 17 was one of the biggest surprises in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Scouting services unanimously projected Knecht as a lottery pick, while most mock drafts Wednesday morning predicted the SEC Player of the Year would go No. 6 to the Charlotte Hornets.
So how much money did Knecht lose when he traded to the Lakers with pick No. 17? It’s not an exact science.
Each player selected in the first round of the NBA Draft has an estimated annual salary, but teams can sign the player to a contract that ranges from 80% to 120% of the estimated slot value. Each rookie signs a contract with two guaranteed years and team options after the second and third seasons.
Assuming Knecht signs for 100% of the projected slot value, his salary with the Lakers next season will be $4,032,240. Had the Hornets selected Knecht with the sixth pick as projected, Knecht potentially would have signed for a slot value of $7,510,680. That means Knecht lost roughly $3.48 million next season alone despite falling behind in the draft.
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During the two years of the guaranteed contract, Knecht lost approximately $7,544,760 because he did not receive 11 picks in the draft.
In a scenario where both teams exercise Knecht’s third- and fourth-year options without signing him to a new contract, Knecht’s salary would increase from approximately $31,176,028 to $18,537,485 over the course of four years.
While that is the downside of Knecht’s decline, there are positive aspects as well. The former Tennessee star is joining a much better team and franchise. Knecht gets to play for a historic franchise with LeBron James. He also fills a gap in the Los Angeles squad in terms of long-range shooting.
“I think every player wants to be a lottery pick,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said. “Sometimes it works out better when you’re picked by someone who picks you or drafts you. And in this situation, I think it’s great for him.”
At the Lakers, Knecht will play for new head coach JJ Redick. Redick knows Barnes well and the former NBA veteran had similar skills in his playing days to Knecht today.
