Lakers Waive Dalton Knecht to Finalize Roster Ahead of Season Opener

Key points

• The Lakers waived Dalton Knecht to meet the 15-player roster limit before the regular season begins on Tuesday.
• The team attempted to trade Knecht for Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims but failed to reach a deal, leading to the waiver.
• Knecht averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per game during the 2025-26 season, shooting 34.2% from three-point range.
• The waiver voids Knecht's $6.45 million team option for 2026-27, making him an unrestricted free agent.
• The decision allows Jaden Hardy, Bronny James, and Jarred Vanderbilt to remain on the Lakers' active roster.

Background

The Lakers faced a roster crunch after acquiring multiple players in free agency, leaving them with 16 guaranteed contracts. Previous attempts to trade Knecht, including a failed deal with the Charlotte Hornets in 2025, highlighted his limited trade value. The team also explored trades for Naz Reid and Jonathan Kuminga during the offseason but did not finalize those deals.

How outlets are covering it

Silver Screen and Roll emphasizes that Knecht's failure to develop is a sharp indictment of the Lakers' front office, noting that neither he nor Jalen Hood-Schifino have established themselves as contributors. Hoops Rumors focuses on the financial aspect, stating that the Lakers chose to eat Knecht's $4.2 million salary rather than attach draft picks to move his contract. Knoxville News Sentinel highlights Knecht's status as the highest-drafted player under Tennessee coach Rick Barnes. Lakers Nation notes that Knecht was battling for the 15th roster spot with Jaden Hardy and Bronny James, with the latter unlikely to be cut due to the organization's investment in his development.

Why it matters

The waiver of Dalton Knecht resolves the Lakers' roster crunch, allowing them to finalize their 15-man roster for the 2026-27 season. It also impacts the NBA free agent market, as Knecht becomes an unrestricted free agent. The move reflects the Lakers' front office's struggles with draft picks and their prioritization of developing younger players like Bronny James over established but underperforming veterans.

What to watch

Knecht will be eligible to sign a two-way contract with another team or become an unrestricted free agent. The Lakers will begin their regular season with a 15-player roster, including Jaden Hardy, Bronny James, and Jarred Vanderbilt. The team will also monitor the free agent market for potential center additions, as they failed to acquire Jericho Sims.