Top 5 potential Dalton Knecht replacements for Tennessee ft.  Felix Okpara

Dalton Knecht played his final college season with the Tennessee Volunteers last year. He has since been drafted into the NBA, with the Los Angeles Lakers selecting him at No. 17 in 2024.

In his only season with the Volunteers, Dalton Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He was a scoring machine as he led Tennessee to the first Elite Eight since 2010. Replacing someone like Knecht is a huge task; however, here are some of the potential alternatives.

Top 5 potential Dalton Knecht replacements heading into 2024-25 season

#1 Igor Miliĉić Jr.

Former Charlotte 49ers forward Igor Miliĉić Jr. is the most probable replacement for Dalton Knecht. At 6-foot-10, Miliĉić has the size to take on defense like Knecht did. He averaged 12.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in his junior season with the 49ers.

Both forwards have a similar shooting range of 49.8% from the floor, including 39.7% from deep for Knecht, and 48.7% from the floor, including 37.6% from deep for Miliĉić. Besides shooting, Igor Miliĉić Jr. is also great around the rim, with an average of 1.1 blocks last year.

In the upcoming season, if the forward focuses on increasing his scoring averages, he will be the Volunteers' answer for Dalton Knect.

#2 Felix Okpara

Another transfer portal signee, Felix Okpara, could be Tennessee's option for someone who can contribute in a similar way to Knecht. In his sophomore season at Ohio State, the center averaged 6.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting 58.6% from the floor.

Ohio State v Iowa

Okpara has two more eligibility years where he can grow his game on the scoring front, increasing his shooting range from deep. From the defensive front, Felix Okpara will be Rick Barnes' man.

#3 Darlinstone Dubar

Although he played guard at Hofstra, 247Sports lists Darlinstone Dubar as a small forward. At 6-foot-6 and 207 pounds, the graduate transfer signee is the closest in size to Dalton Knecht and could take over his position.

Syndication: Wilmington News Journal

He averaged 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in his senior year. Dubar shot 53.9% from the floor and 39.9% from deep, a similar range to Knecht.

#4 J.P. Estrella

Estrella saw limited game time in his freshman season (5.0 minutes) and averaged 1.6 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.1 assists. However, the upcoming season presents the forward with an opportunity to increase his production and contribute in a bigger role to Tennessee.

While not an immediate replacement, Estrella can grow into one with time.

#5 Cade Phillips

The other freshman forward on the roster, Cade Phillips played an average of 6.0 minutes and finished with 0.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists. He will once again come off the bench next season with a chance to build his performance.