Where Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht lands in latest NBA mock draft

The latest NBA mock draft from On3 predicts that Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht will be a lottery selection. 

On3's James Fletcher III has the Oklahoma City Thunder selecting Knecht with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. 

From On3: The Oklahoma City Thunder have burst onto the scene as the 1-seed in the Western Conference playoffs despite a young core of rising stars. The stockpile of draft picks they have left to use could land complementary pieces via trade or selection as they take a step closer to a potential dynasty.

Dalton Knecht is the type of player who could plug and play in this — or any — offense in the NBA. Whether picked by the Thunder to play a role in the offense or by a team trading into the spot for a go-to scorer, he promises to fill the role well early on.

Knecht is heading to the NBA after averaging 21.7 points per game for the Vols last season. 

During his one season in Knoxville, Knecht proved to be a dependable scorer who is at his best when the brights are the lightest (for example, Knecht scored 37 points against Purdue in the Elite Eight and he scored 37 points against North Carolina in Chapel Hill). 

The one concern with Knecht -- and the biggest reason he's projected to fall outside of the top 10 in the draft -- is his defense. If Knecht can improve on the defensive end of the floor, he could have a lengthy NBA career.