Story perspectives

Lakers waive Dalton Knecht to stay under roster limit

By Drooid · Oct 20, 2026, 6:27 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Lakers Waive Knecht

Lakers waived Dalton Knecht to meet 15-player roster limit.
The waiver came before the 2 p.m. Pacific deadline for opening-night rosters on Monday.
Knecht’s $4.2 million 2026-27 contract stays on the books, with his team option voided.
The Lakers held trade talks with Milwaukee, Chicago, Utah and Charlotte but made no deal.
Coach JJ Redick said the roster shifted to wing shooters, leaving Bronny James and Jaden Hardy on the opening-night roster.

Summary

Bronny James Tradeable

The Lakers are $8.1 million under the NBA’s first apron, allowing player waivers.
Bronny James (player)’s contract includes a $2.4 million team option for the 2027-28 season.
He earns $2.2 million this season, making him inexpensive for a potential trade.
James said his father’s Philadelphia move has its own path, aiming to make a name.
Coach JJ Redick noted James and Knecht missed practice due to illness before the roster deadline.

History

Historical Context

When the NBA instituted its first salary cap in 1984, the league capped team payroll at $3.6 million, reshaping roster construction. The cap forced the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks to trim veteran contracts, with the Lakers shedding $4.2 million in salaries that season. Similarly, today’s Lakers sit $8.1 million under the 2023-24 apron, waiving Dalton Knecht’s $4.2 million deal while eyeing trade options for Bronny James. That historic fiscal discipline established a precedent for modern cap-aware maneuvers, ensuring teams balance star acquisitions with financial flexibility.

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Lakers Waive Knecht

Lakers waived Dalton Knecht to meet 15-player roster limit.
The waiver came before the 2 p.m. Pacific deadline for opening-night rosters on Monday.
Knecht’s $4.2 million 2026-27 contract stays on the books, with his team option voided.
The Lakers held trade talks with Milwaukee, Chicago, Utah and Charlotte but made no deal.
Coach JJ Redick said the roster shifted to wing shooters, leaving Bronny James and Jaden Hardy on the opening-night roster.

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