CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn argued Monday that Bronny James outlasting Dalton Knecht on the Lakers’ roster says more about how badly the 2024 draft class went than about James himself. Quinn’s column came after the Lakers waived Knecht on Oct. 19.
The Lakers had entered the day with 16 players on standard guaranteed contracts and needed to cut down to 15.
Quinn’s case starts with James’ preseason. He shot just 4-of-16 from the floor, and the Lakers lost his 82 minutes by 31 points.
JJ Redick said publicly, “I don’t think he’s played well in the four preseason games, but he’s had good practices.” Quinn called the pair and what followed them “an abject disaster of a draft class for Rob Pelinka.” His argument is that the Lakers drafted the wrong players, developed them poorly and handled their exits badly.
Knecht, the No. 17 pick, was included in a trade that sent him to Charlotte at the 2025 in-season deadline, but that deal was rescinded two days later after the Lakers balked at the results of Mark Williams’ physical.
In October 2026, ahead of the roster deadline, he had negative trade value on his $4.2 million cap hit and Los Angeles had limited draft capital available to attach as sweeteners. James stays on the roster even though his father has left for the 76ers.
The Bronny Decision Was Made on Basketball Alone
LeBron James’ move to Philadelphia changes what it means that his son kept his spot. Quinn suggests the Lakers drafted Bronny partly to keep his father happy.
That reason was gone by the October 2026 cutdown, so whatever kept James on the roster had to be what Redick said: his practices.
The deeper failure Quinn describes goes back to February 2025. The Lakers wanted to move Knecht as soon as his rookie season started to dip, couldn’t, and ended up waiving him for nothing 20 months later.
Lakers Open Against Golden State on Oct. 21
The Lakers start their season at home against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. PT, with the game on ESPN. That game will give the first look at whether James has a real place in Redick’s guard rotation.
Source: Sam Quinn of CBS Sports
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