The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a strong start this season with a 9-4 record, marking their best 13-game stretch since the 2019-2020 NBA season. This success comes with the highest offensive rating the Lakers have achieved during any 13-game span featuring LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Currently ranked as the fifth-best offense in the league, the Lakers are thriving despite notable injuries to key players like Jared Vanderbilt, Christian Wood, Jackson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, and Cam Reddish.
Amidst this adversity, rookie Dalton Connect has stepped up as a surprise contributor. Forced into the starting lineup during the Lakers’ recent two-game road trip, Connect has shone brightly, averaging 20.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal per game on an impressive 50/51/100 shooting split. In one game, he set a career-high with 27 points, proving to be a formidable offensive weapon that many opponents are struggling to defend.
A Secret Weapon No More
Dalton Connect’s ability to stretch the floor has been a game-changer for the Lakers. His three-point shooting threat opens up space for teammates like LeBron and Davis to attack the basket. For example, in a game against San Antonio, Connect’s presence on the wing drew defenders away, enabling Davis to finish an alley-oop off a LeBron setup. Plays like these, which rely on Connect’s shooting gravity, wouldn’t be as effective with other role players.
