Multiple rival executives expect Dalton Knecht to be the player the Lakers drop as they cut their roster from 16 standard contracts to the league maximum of 15, per Khobi Price of the California Post. No move has been made. JJ Redick praised Knecht’s work ethic on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, but did not commit to a role for him.
Price reported that Redick and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka never mentioned Knecht, directly or indirectly, at any media session before Thursday. Wing additions Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams, plus Adou Thiero and rookie Cameron Carr, got much more attention. When Redick did speak about him, he said Knecht is “hungry to play and hungry to earn a spot in the rotation.”
Other reporters have said the same thing. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that Los Angeles has explored consolidation trades “quite a bit” this offseason, with Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy viewed as the two players most likely to be involved in such a deal. NBA insider Evan Sidery said Knecht has fallen behind Bronny James and Jaden Hardy as Los Angeles holds a camp battle for their final roster spots. He is scheduled to make approximately $4.2 million this season, and the Lakers hold a team option for $6.4 million for 2027-28.
Knecht, the No. 17 pick in 2024, played 1,494 minutes over 78 games in 2024-25. In 2025-26 he played 553 minutes over 54 games. He had been part of the February 2025 trade for Mark Williams that was later rescinded, and his playing time never returned to its earlier level after that.
The Lakers Are Shopping a Player Their Coach Isn’t Using
Two things are working against each other. The Lakers would rather get something back for Knecht than waive him. But each day Redick leaves him out of his rotation plans tells other teams how little the Lakers value him. His contract is cheap, and nothing is guaranteed past this season, so the cost of taking him on is low. A trading partner would be buying a player who has been out of the rotation for most of two seasons, not the shooter who averaged 18.9 points in nine November 2024 starts. Hardy and Bronny James are both named in Redick’s plans. That makes a two-for-one deal built around Knecht the most likely way he stays useful to the Lakers.
The Deadline Is Opening Night
Pelinka has said the team does not have to decide until the regular season begins, which Price put about two and a half weeks away. The remaining preseason practices and the trade market will decide whether Knecht is traded, waived, or keeps his spot.
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