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Ahead of Monday's roster cut deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers have reduced their guaranteed contracts from 16 to 15 by waiving forward Dalton Knecht. The move came after the team explored trade possibilities but ultimately found no suitable partner before the deadline.
The Lakers had entered the day with 16 players on guaranteed deals and had been actively seeking trades for the 25-year-old former first-round pick. With Knecht's release, the roster now stands at 15 guaranteed players, alongside three two-way contracts.
Current Roster Breakdown
The Lakers' 15 guaranteed players are: guards Luka Doncic, Cameron Carr, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Bronny James, Austin Reaves, Collin Sexton, and Matisse Thybulle; forwards Jake LaRavia, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Adou Thiero, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Ziaire Williams; and centers Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney. The three two-way players are Arthur Kaluma, Chris Manon, and AK Okereke, bringing the total to 18 players.
Knecht's Tumultuous Lakers Tenure
Dalton Knecht's time in Los Angeles was marked by inconsistency. Selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Tennessee, Knecht showed flashes as a rookie but struggled to maintain steady production under head coach JJ Redick. His scoring and shot-creation abilities, which were his strengths in college, did not consistently translate to the NBA level.
Knecht began his professional career on a high note, averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range. However, his trajectory changed dramatically at the 2025 NBA trade deadline. The Lakers had agreed to send Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Mark Williams. The trade was rescinded, and Knecht's performance never recovered.
Over the weekend, reports indicated that the Lakers held discussions with several teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, and Utah Jazz, regarding a potential trade for Knecht. However, no deal materialized, leading to his release.
Looking Ahead
With the roster now set at 15 guaranteed players, the Lakers are confident in their group but may still need upgrades before the 2027 NBA trade deadline. If the team stays healthy, it has the potential to establish itself as one of the top teams in the league and the Western Conference. The Lakers' 2026-27 season tips off on Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors.