Dalton Connect’s Explosive Preseason Performance and His Potential Role with the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers made a potentially game-changing pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by selecting Dalton Connect at number 17. A three-year NCAA standout from Northern Colorado and Tennessee, Connect is already turning heads in his debut season. During a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, he demonstrated exactly why he could be a critical piece in the Lakers’ lineup this season. With a combination of sharpshooting, shot-creating prowess, and basketball IQ, Connect’s skill set complements the existing Lakers’ roster, filling a key gap that plagued the team last year: bench scoring.

Lakers’ Vision for Dalton Connect

The Lakers, led by General Manager Rob Pelinka, have assembled a talented squad with established stars like LeBron James, Anthony Davis (AD), D’Angelo Russell (DLo), Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves. The addition of Connect provides much-needed bench support, particularly with his shooting ability—a sorely lacking component in the Lakers’ offense last season. In college, Connect consistently averaged over 20 points per game while shooting an impressive 38% from beyond the arc for consecutive seasons. If he can translate even a portion of this production to the NBA, he could be a tremendous asset to the Lakers, particularly as they aim to improve their bench depth, which ranked near the bottom of the league last year.

An Efficient Masterclass Against the Suns

Connect’s standout performance against the Suns showcased his scoring efficiency and versatility. Scoring 35 points on a remarkable 10-for-18 from the field, 8-for-13 from three-point range, and 7-for-8 from the foul line, Connect finished the game with a staggering true shooting percentage of 81.3%. This level of efficiency is rare, particularly for a rookie, and highlights his ability to score in a variety of ways—something the Lakers have been in need of for quite some time.

Connect also contributed seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, showing that his impact extended beyond just scoring. His well-rounded game could enable him to become an essential role player for the Lakers. With the Lakers striving to balance offensive firepower with defensive stability, Connect’s ability