You ever see a guy walk onto an NBA court and just look like he’s been there for ten years? That was the vibe with Dalton Knecht the second he put on a Lakers jersey. Honestly, it’s rare. Most rookies spend their first season looking like deer in headlights, but Knecht came out firing like he had a mortgage to pay. For anyone holding a Dalton Knecht rookie card, that poise is exactly why the market hasn't cooled off, even as the "new car smell" of the 2024 draft class starts to fade.
The dude is basically a professional bucket getter. We’re talking about a guy who tied the NBA rookie record by splashing nine triples in a single game against the Utah Jazz back in November 2024. If you were watching that game, you saw the prices on eBay ticking up with every swish. It wasn't just a fluke. He finished his rookie campaign averaging about 9.1 points per game while shooting 37.6% from deep. Those aren't "superstar" numbers yet, but for a late lottery-ish pick (No. 17 overall), he’s been a godsend for a Lakers roster that desperately needed floor spacing.
The Dalton Knecht Rookie Card Market: What’s Actually Worth Keeping?
If you’re hunting for a Dalton Knecht rookie card, you've got to realize that the "Lakers tax" is very real. Being teammates with LeBron James and playing in the bright lights of Crypto.com Arena adds a premium to his cardboard that a guy in Charlotte or Detroit just doesn't get.
Right now, the heavy hitters are coming out of the 2024-25 Panini sets. Since Panini still holds the exclusive NBA license for most of the high-end stuff, their releases are the ones driving the hobby.
The Big Three to Watch
- Panini Prizm Silver: This is the "gold standard" for most casual and mid-tier investors. It’s the card everyone recognizes. A raw Silver Prizm #238 is currently moving for around $35 to $40, while a PSA 10 can easily clear $150 if the market is feeling bullish.
- Donruss Optic "Rated Rookie": Collectors love the "Rated Rookie" logo. It’s nostalgic. The base Optic cards are affordable, but if you snag a "Holo" or one of the numbered parallels like the "Aqua" (/225), you’re looking at a solid hold.
- NBA Hoops "Rookie Ink": If you want an autograph without selling a kidney, Hoops is usually the entry point. His "Rookie Ink" autos have been popping up on the secondary market, and they’re a great way to get a piece of his early career before the higher-end sets like National Treasures or Immaculate drop their RPA (Rookie Patch Auto) monsters.
The "Sleeper" Pick: 2024 Panini Instant
Some of the coolest cards aren't even in packs. Panini Instant released a limited-run card specifically for his 37-point explosion against Utah. There’s an autographed version of this card numbered to /99 that recently surfaced in the $275 range. It’s a "moment" card. Those tend to hold value because they're tied to a specific night in history rather than just being a random photo from a media day shoot.
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Why Investors Are Nervous (And Why They Shouldn't Be)
Kinda weirdly, there was some drama in late 2025. Rumors started swirling that the Lakers might move Knecht in a package for a veteran rim protector. When you’re a rookie on a LeBron-led team, you’re always one trade deadline away from being sent to a rebuilding team in exchange for "win-now" help.
His minutes also fluctuated quite a bit toward the end of his first year. He went from playing 26 minutes a night in November to barely seeing the floor in the playoffs. Some people panicked and dumped their Dalton Knecht rookie card stacks, thinking he was just a flash in the pan.
But here’s the thing: elite shooting is the most transferable skill in the modern NBA. Whether he stays in LA or ends up playing alongside a guy like Luka Doncic or Trae Young, someone is always going to need a 6'6" wing who can hit 40% of his catch-and-shoot threes.
Spotting the Difference: College vs. Pro Cards
You’ll see a lot of 2023-24 Bowman University or "Onit Athlete" cards out there. These feature Knecht in his Tennessee Volunteers gear.
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Don't get it twisted—these are cool, especially for Vols fans. But in the world of serious card collecting, pro uniform cards almost always carry more weight. A "1st Bowman" autograph is the only real exception that holds its own against NBA licensed stuff. If you’re looking at a Dalton Knecht rookie card as a long-term investment, try to stick to the Lakers jerseys. The demand is just higher.
Current Price Snapshot (January 2026)
- 2024 Panini Select (Base): $1.50 - $2.00 (Raw)
- 2024 Panini Prizm Silver: $35.00+
- 2024 Panini NBA Hoops PSA 10: $16.50
- 2024 Panini Mosaic White Sparkle: $230.00+ (Extremely rare)
How to Grade Your Knecht Cards
If you pull a clean-looking Knecht, you might be tempted to send it to PSA or SGC immediately. Be careful though. Panini’s quality control can be... let's just say "inconsistent."
Check the centering first. Look at the borders on the front and back. If the left border is noticeably thicker than the right, it’s not getting a 10. Also, these shiny Prizm and Optic cards are notorious for "dimples"—tiny little circular indentations in the surface that you can only see when you tilt the card under a bright light. If your Dalton Knecht rookie card has a dimple on his face or the Lakers logo, keep it raw. The grading fee will likely cost more than the value added by a PSA 8 or 9.
The Verdict on Knecht’s Future Value
Dalton Knecht is already 24. In "scout speak," that means he’s "old" for a rookie. People think he doesn't have the "ceiling" of a 19-year-old kid who’s still growing.
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That’s actually a benefit for collectors. He’s a finished product who can contribute right now. He isn't a project that might bust in three years because he never learned how to shoot. He can shoot. He's arguably the best shooter in the 2024 class alongside Jared McCain.
Basically, if he becomes a 15-point-per-game starter who hits 200 threes a season, his cards are going to stay steady. If he stays a Laker? Even better. The Lakers fanbase is massive, and they love "homegrown" talent that actually pans out.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors:
- Target the "Silver" Parallels: If you're buying for investment, skip the base cards. Focus on Prizm Silvers or Optic Holos. They are easier to liquidize later.
- Monitor the Trade Deadlines: If news breaks that he’s staying in Los Angeles for the long haul, expect a 10-15% bump in card prices overnight.
- Check the "True" RC Logo: Always ensure the card has the official "RC" shield. Some "insert" cards from later in the year don't always carry the same value as the true base rookie.
- Buy the Dip: If he has a cold shooting week and his raw Prizm prices drop below $25, that’s usually a solid entry point given his high floor.