Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht was selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA draft. It has been an eventful first season for the 6-foot-6 forward out of Tennessee, as he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline before the deal was rescinded by Los Angeles due to center Mark Williams failing his physical.

Since rejoining the team, Knecht has seen his role fluctuate. The 23-year-old wing is averaging 9.3 points in 70 games for the Lakers, which includes a career-high 37 points and nine 3-pointers on Nov. 19 in a win over the

In addition to his strong rookie campaign, Knecht is also making big moves off the court. On Friday, the 2024 SEC Player of the Year announced a historic partnership with El Pollo Loco.

“Dalton Knecht joins El Pollo Loco as the Fire-Grilled Chicken restaurant’s first-ever official athlete partner,” the fast food restaurant detailed in a graphic Knecht reposted on Instagram.

As El Pollo Loco noted, Knecht is the first athlete to parter with them, making the move that much more exciting for the first-year Lakers wing. This news comes amid a stretch of games where Knecht has been less featured in JJ Redick’s rotation, averaging just 7.3 minutes per contest in his last four appearances.

Knecht and the Lakers are in the middle of a Western Conference seeding battle, as just two games separate the fourth seed (Los Angeles and Memphis Grizzlies) from the seventh seed Golden State Warriors.