Lakers coach JJ Redick spoke about third-year wing Dalton Knecht’s place on the roster before the preseason finale against the Denver Nuggets. He said the team’s offseason moves had pushed Knecht out of the picture. The Lakers have 16 players on standard contracts and must get down to the league limit of 15 by Monday, Oct. 19, two days before their opener against the Warriors.
“I think the biggest thing is the team changed,” Redick said. “The team changed, the needs changed, the fit changed. I think he got better as a player over the last two years.” He added that the Lakers “added a lot of wings and he’s in a tough spot right now.”
The wing group now includes Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero, Cameron Carr and Jake LaRavia. Knecht, the 17th pick in 2024, averaged 9.1 points in 19.2 minutes across 78 games as a rookie.
In 2025-26 he averaged 4.2 points in 10.2 minutes across 54 appearances. In February 2025 the Lakers agreed to send him to Charlotte for center Mark Williams, but the trade was rescinded after Williams failed his physical.
Per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Lakers and Bucks have held exploratory trade discussions on a framework that would ship former first-round selection Dalton Knecht to Milwaukee (along with second-round draft capital) in exchange for big man Jericho Sims. Fischer also heard “some pessimism” from sources briefed on the talks.
ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported that Knecht “will not be a part of this roster long term,” but that finding a trade partner has been difficult. Siegel also reported that Milwaukee was not “all that receptive” to a deal built around a single second-round pick. Knecht is on the Lakers’ books for $4.2 million this season.
Knecht Is the Lakers’ Last Trade Chip for Center Depth
Redick’s explanation shows how the roster is built. The Lakers have more wings than they can play and are thin at center, where Walker Kessler is the starter after appearing in only five games for Utah in 2025-26. That turns the Knecht decision into a question about the frontcourt.
A trade could turn surplus salary into a backup big. Waiving him would only clear a roster spot.
Rival teams know the Lakers have to cut someone by Monday, which is why Milwaukee wants more than one second-round pick. The Lakers have to decide how much draft capital a backup center is worth. If they won’t pay that price, they will owe Knecht’s $4.2 million in dead money and start the season with the same thin center rotation.
The Roster Deadline Is Monday at 2 p.m. Pacific
The Lakers have to finalize their roster by Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. Pacific, so any Knecht trade has to be done by then. If no trade comes together, waiving him is the expected fallback. The season opens against Golden State on Oct. 21.
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