Former NBA All-Star Makes Bold Statement Comparing Lakers’ Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, Sparking Debate Over Rookie Roles, Potential

In the world of professional basketball, comparisons are inevitable—especially when rookies enter the league wearing the iconic purple and gold of the Los Angeles Lakers. This offseason, two high-profile rookies—Bronny James and Dalton Knecht—have captured headlines, not only because of their draft status but also due to the intense spotlight that naturally follows them. Adding fuel to the fire is a bold comparison made by a former NBA All-Star, whose comments have gone viral across social media and sports media platforms.

That All-Star is Baron Davis, a two-time NBA All-Star known for his tenure with the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Hornets. During an appearance on a recent episode of the “Open Run” podcast, Davis didn’t hold back when asked about the Lakers’ rookie duo. “Dalton Knecht looks like a guy who’s ready to contribute right now,” Davis said. “But Bronny—he’s got that poise, that presence. He reminds me of a young Derek Fisher. Different player, sure, but the maturity, the understanding of his role—it’s there.”

It didn’t take long for fans and analysts alike to dissect Davis’s comments, especially his comparison of Bronny James to Lakers legend Derek Fisher. Social media lit up, with some praising the take as insightful while others questioned whether it was too early to draw any comparisons given Bronny’s limited college production and draft position.

Breaking Down the Comparisons: Bronny James

Bronny James, the eldest son of Lakers superstar LeBron James, was selected with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. While the pick garnered massive attention, much of it centered on the prospect of him playing alongside his father. However, the Lakers front office has been clear that Bronny earned his selection through merit.

What stands out about Bronny is not just his basketball skills, but his mental approach. Despite dealing with a serious health scare in college, Bronny has shown resilience and composure beyond his years. At 6-foot-2, he may not possess elite athleticism like his father, but he’s a smart, defensive-minded guard who can handle the ball and make the right play.

Baron Davis’s comparison to Derek Fisher wasn’t necessarily about play style but about mindset and maturity. Fisher, a five-time NBA champion, was never the flashiest player but was always reliable, intelligent, and confident in the clutch. Davis sees some of those intangibles in Bronny.

“Fisher wasn’t a superstar,” Davis explained, “but he played his role to perfection. He made winning plays. That’s what I see in Bronny—a guy who may not put up big numbers, but will make big plays when it counts.”

Dalton Knecht: The More NBA-Ready Prospect?

While Bronny has the name recognition and narrative appeal, Dalton Knecht is widely considered the more NBA-ready player. The 23-year-old shooting guard out of Tennessee was selected with the 17th overall pick by the Lakers, and expectations are high.

Standing at 6-foot-6 with a deadly shooting touch, Knecht has already turned heads during Summer League. He’s shown that he can score at all three levels, and his transition to the pro game appears to be smooth. The Lakers are hoping Knecht can provide much-needed perimeter shooting and wing depth, two areas of concern for the roster last season.

Baron Davis had high praise for Knecht as well, saying, “This kid is polished. You can tell he’s been through the college grind and knows how to get his shot. He reminds me a bit of Klay [Thompson]—not the same level yet, but the way he moves without the ball, the mechanics—it’s all there.”

That comparison naturally sparked even more conversation. While Knecht has shown flashes of being a consistent shooter, being likened to one of the greatest shooters of all time in Thompson is a lofty standard.

The Lakers’ Development Plan: Patience and Precision

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and new head coach JJ Redick have both emphasized development and long-term vision. In press conferences following the draft, Redick made it clear that both Knecht and Bronny would be given every opportunity to grow at their own pace.

“Dalton’s going to compete right away for minutes,” Redick said. “He gives us something we need—size and shooting. But we also love Bronny’s IQ, his effort on defense, and his willingness to learn. We’re not rushing anyone.”

The Lakers’ depth chart suggests that Knecht could carve out an early role, potentially as a rotation wing off the bench. Bronny, meanwhile, may split time between the Lakers and their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, to refine his game.

Still, Redick’s philosophy aligns with Davis’s sentiments—contributions come in different forms. While Knecht might be asked to space the floor and score, Bronny’s path could mirror that of role players who become essential due to their defensive effort and team-first mentality.

Media Buzz and Fan Reactions

Naturally, Lakers Nation has been buzzing with the Davis comparison. On Twitter/X, hashtags like #BronnyVsKnecht and #YoungFish trended for hours after the podcast dropped.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in, saying, “Baron Davis is onto something. We get so caught up in stats that we forget basketball is about making winning plays. Bronny’s got that.”

On the other hand, Fox Sports’ Skip Bayless predictably took a more skeptical approach. “Derek Fisher? Come on now. Fisher hit big shots in big games. Bronny’s barely touched the court. Let’s pump the brakes.”

Fans were equally divided. One Reddit user wrote, “If Bronny turns into even 70% of Fisher, that’s a huge win for the Lakers.” Another user joked, “If Baron’s right, then we better sign him to a five-year deal now.”

What This Means for LeBron and the Lakers

The overarching narrative, of course, is the presence of LeBron James. The elder James recently signed an extension with the Lakers, and the opportunity to play alongside his son was widely viewed as a driving force behind the deal. But for Bronny, earning his own identity remains a priority.

In a recent interview, Bronny addressed the challenges of being LeBron’s son. “I know the expectations are high, but I’m just focused on being the best version of myself. I want to help this team however I can.”

LeBron, for his part, has said he will “take a backseat” and allow Bronny to forge his own path. “This is his journey,” LeBron said. “I’m proud of him no matter what.”

That’s another layer to Davis’s comparison—Fisher played alongside Kobe Bryant, just as Bronny will play alongside LeBron. Navigating those dynamics while remaining focused and dependable is no easy task. But perhaps that’s exactly why Davis sees the parallels.

Baron Davis’s comparison may seem bold on the surface, but it reflects a deeper understanding of what makes a role player impactful in today’s NBA. Not every player needs to be a 20-point scorer. Teams need glue guys, smart defenders, and locker room leaders.

Dalton Knecht appears ready to contribute now. His shooting and offensive polish should earn him real minutes right away. Bronny James, meanwhile, may require more development—but he brings attributes you can’t teach: maturity, composure, and a team-first mindset.

Whether either player fulfills Davis’s projections remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the Lakers have two rookies on opposite ends of the spectrum but both filled with potential.

And in the end, maybe Davis’s take isn’t so much about comparisons, but about possibilities.