Lakers Rookie Posts Instagram Photos With Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht worked out with Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook and San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul.

Joey Linn | Sep 7, 2024

Los Angeles Lakers first round draft pick Dalton Knecht (4) and second round draft pick Bronny James (9) pose at a press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The Los Angeles Lakers made two selections in the 2024 NBA draft. Taking Tennessee standout Dalton Knecht with the 17th overall pick, the Lakers then selected Bronny James out of USC with the 55th overall pick.

Both Knecht and James played in the NBA Summer League with varying levels of success. Leading the Summer League Lakers in scoring, Knecht averaged 21.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in three games. James started slow, but finished his summer on a high note to improve his averages to 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in four appearances.

In an Instagram post on Friday, Knecht shared photos from a recent workout with Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook and San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dalton Knecht (@daltonknecht)

Some of Knecht's college teammates, Summer League teammates, and other NBA rookies reacted to his post.

Via Jonas Aidoo: “My dawg ❤️”

Via Jordan Gainey: “Big timeeeee”

Via Tristan Da Silva: “Oh my”

Via J.P. Estrella: "‼️”

Tennessee's Jordan Gainey (2) and Dalton Knecht (3) against Florida in Knoxville, Tenn. / Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Westbrook and Paul are two of the greatest point guards in NBA history, and while they play a different position than the 6-foot-5 Knecht, both have knowledge they can pass to the young forward.

Westbrook is entering his 17th NBA season and first with the Nuggets, while Paul is entering his 20th NBA season and first with the Spurs. The two Hall of Fame point guards are close friends who often train together in the NBA offseason.

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Published Sep 7, 2024

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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