Lakers waive Dalton Knecht to finalize roster ahead of season opener vs. Warriors

Dalton Knecht's two-year Lakers tenure ended Monday afternoon when the team waived the 25-year-old wing to reach the NBA's 15-player roster limit, a league source familiar with the decision told the Southern California News Group. The move finalizes Los Angeles's opening-night roster ahead of Wednesday's season opener against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers explored trading Knecht — including a two-for-one swap that would have sent him and another player out in exchange for a single player to reach 15 fully guaranteed contracts — but found no workable market and opted to waive him outright, according to the Orange County Register. By waiving him rather than trading him, the Lakers avoided attaching additional assets.

The team remains responsible for Knecht's $4.2 million contract for the 2026-27 season. Waiving him also voids the team option for 2027-28, and he becomes an unrestricted free agent after clearing waivers.

Knecht was the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Tennessee. His rookie season showed real promise: 78 games, 19 starts, 9.1 points per game on 46.1% shooting from the field and 37.6% from three. His sophomore year told a different story — his role shrank by nearly 10 minutes per game, and he failed to reclaim a consistent spot even as injuries depleted the roster late in the regular season.

His trajectory was further complicated by a February 2025 trade that would have sent him to the Charlotte Hornets alongside Cam Reddish and draft compensation for center Mark Williams — only for Williams to fail his physical with the Lakers, voiding the deal and returning Knecht to a franchise that had already moved on from him emotionally, if not contractually.

Not too many people have done that: come back (after being traded).— Dalton Knecht

Coach JJ Redick, who said he met with Knecht during the offseason to discuss the mental side of basketball and shooting technique, framed the decision as a roster-construction reality rather than a verdict on Knecht's ability.

I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. The needs changed, the fit changed. I think he got better as a player over the last two years. I think each guy has, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the amount of injuries we had. So I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings and he's in a tough spot right now.— JJ Redick, Lakers head coach

Knecht himself projected confidence heading into training camp, even as his standing in the rotation was uncertain.

It's always high. My confidence will never drop, no matter what the situation is. I know what type of player I am and what I'm capable of. So, I always just say whenever I'm on the court that I'm one of the best players on that court.— Dalton Knecht

With Knecht gone, guards Bronny James and Jaden Hardy are expected to remain on the roster. James, 22 and the son of LeBron James, made developmental strides last season and became a rotational player and primary defender at times during the injury stretch. Hardy arrived this offseason when the Lakers sent former starting center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Hardy and two second-round picks. Both James and Knecht were given excused absences from Monday's practice for being under the weather — the practice itself took place in the hours before the 2 p.m. roster cut deadline.

Guard Collin Sexton, returning from an undisclosed lower leg injury that kept him out since training camp began in September, was a full participant in Monday's practice for the first time.

We'll be taking it day-by-day. At the end of the day, I had a really good practice today, felt good. Super excited to be back out there with the guys, so I look forward to it.— Collin Sexton, Lakers guard

Second-year wing Adou Thiero and rookie guard Cameron Carr both did not practice Monday due to undisclosed ailments, Redick confirmed. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt, in the third year of a four-year, $48 million extension signed in September 2023, is also expected to fill out the back end of the bench.

Knecht will now wait to see if an NBA team claims him off waivers or if he pursues other opportunities as a free agent. For the Lakers, the roster is set — and the season begins Wednesday night.

Why it matters — The move signals how quickly a promising rookie's value can erode when a team's roster needs shift, and it locks in the Lakers' full 15-man lineup — including Bronny James — just before a season opener with title expectations attached.

Reported by yahoo.com, nytimes.com, ocregister.com