When the Lakers selected Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 pick, both Lakers fans and NBA experts were excited about the move.

Considered a lottery pick, Knecht fell to the Lakers, giving them an exciting prospect after an impressive season in Tennessee where he averaged 21.7 points and shot 39% from 3-point range.

Since being drafted, he had an impressive performance in the Las Vegas Summer League, including a 20-point game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Shortly before the start of the season, Knecht spoke to ESPNLA on Media Day about the benefits of joining the Lakers.

“I think it’s a blessing,” Knecht said. “I get to learn from one of the greatest basketball players of all time (LeBron James) and have (Anthony Davis) there too. It was good. I think it’s really a blessing to be a part of it and see great things.”

There are worse places to crash than Los Angeles.

As we've seen with other young talents, if you play well here, the attention and praise you receive will be higher than virtually anywhere else.

Players like Austin Reaves got shoe deals early on because they made a big splash in Los Angeles. The same goes for Kyle Kuzma and his Puma contract.

If Knecht is a good player for the Lakers, the rewards will soon come, be it a significant role on this team, a sponsorship, a big payday when his rookie contract expires, or all of the above.

However, Lakers fans must have tempered expectations for Knecht this season. The starting lineup is solid, and with head coach JJ Redick wanting a nine-man rotation, it's difficult to see Knecht getting one of those spots early.

Despite being a play-in team for the past few seasons, it's hard to imagine a win-now squad like the Lakers giving a rookie such an important role early in the season.

Over the last three years, Reaves played the biggest role as a rookie, appearing in 61 games and averaging 23.2 minutes in those games. Max Christie's rookie season is behind him, in which he played 41 games and played 12.5 minutes per night.

Both players are still with the Lakers, have paid their dues and are key to the team's success. Fans are hoping Knecht can repeat that path as he enters his rookie year.

With training camp underway and preseason looming, we'll soon have an on-field update on his progress compared to previous baby Lakers.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.