Full Breakdown
Lakers Waive Former First-Round Pick Dalton Knecht to Meet Roster Limit
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On Monday, October 19, the Los Angeles Lakers waived forward Dalton Knecht to bring their roster down to the NBA-mandated 15-player limit ahead of the 2026-27 season opener. The move cleared the way for guards Bronny James and Jaden Hardy to remain on the opening-night roster.
Background & Context
Knecht was selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft after a standout season at Tennessee, where he earned SEC Player of the Year honors. In his rookie year (2024-25) he appeared in 78 games (19 starts) and averaged 9.1 points on 46.1 % shooting (37.6 % from three). A February 2025 trade that would have sent him, Cam Reddish, a 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick-swap to Charlotte for center Mark Williams was rescinded after Williams failed his physical, after which Knecht’s role diminished. The Lakers added multiple wing players—Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, among others—during the offseason, shifting the roster’s perimeter composition.
Data & Statistics
- Draft position: No. 17, 2024 NBA Draft.
- Rookie season (2024-25): 9.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 0.9 ast per game; 46.1 % FG, 37.6 % 3P.
- Sophomore season (2025-26): 4.2 pts, 1.4 reb per game; 45.5 % FG, 34.2 % 3P in 10.2 min average (54 games).
- 2026 preseason (four games): 2.8 pts per game, 25 % shooting (3-for-12) and 14.3 % from three (1-for-7) in 11.9 min average.
- Contract: $4.2 million guaranteed for 2026-27; team option for 2027-28 voided.
All figures are drawn from the Lakers’ publicly released season and preseason statistics.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach JJ Redick said the roster’s composition had shifted, noting “the team changed, the needs changed, the fit changed.” He added that Knecht had improved personally but the influx of new wings reduced his role. Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka confirmed the organization explored trade options—including talks with Milwaukee, Chicago and Utah—but ultimately opted for a waiver to meet the deadline, preserving flexibility for future upgrades.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The team changed. The needs changed, the fit changed,” — JJ Redick, head coach
- “I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings, and he’s in a tough spot right now,” — JJ Redick, head coach
Why It Matters / Impact
Waiving Knecht eliminates a $4.2 million guaranteed salary from the active roster, though the contract remains on the books. The move underscores the Lakers’ pivot toward a wing-heavy rotation to complement star guard Luka Doncic and forward Austin Reaves. Retaining James and Hardy signals continued investment in James’ development despite modest preseason output. The roster crunch also highlights the limited trade assets the Lakers possess, suggesting further adjustments will target the 2027 trade-deadline window.
What’s Next
The Lakers open the 2026-27 campaign on Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. With the roster finalized, the organization will monitor early-season performance and may pursue additional front-court upgrades before the February 2027 trade-deadline.