The Los Angeles Lakers waived guard Dalton Knecht ahead of the regular season opener, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move trims the Lakers’ roster down from 16 guaranteed contracts to the 15-man limit required before the season begins.
The Lakers had been working the phones before cutting Knecht loose. The team explored trading the former first-round pick for a big man, including discussions involving Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims, before ultimately deciding to waive him outright.
The Terms Of The Dalton Knecht Waiver
Knecht was selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Details on his contract status and the specific cap implications of the waiver were not disclosed in reporting on the move. The Lakers’ need to get under the 15-man roster limit drove the timing, with the team choosing to release Knecht rather than complete a trade for a replacement big man.
What It Means For The Lakers
Cutting Knecht solves the Lakers’ numbers problem, but it does not address the frontcourt need that fueled trade talks involving Sims. Whether Los Angeles still lands a big man through another trade or waiver claim was not addressed in the reporting. The decision also reflects how far
What’s Next
Knecht now enters waivers. Bleacher Report named the Charlotte Hornets as a potential landing spot, noting the team had previously tried to trade for Knecht during the 2024-25 season.
s role had fallen under coach JJ Redick, whose rotation had already pushed the youngster in and out of the lineup last season.
Knecht’s Production With The Lakers
Knecht’s rookie season showed promise. He averaged 9.1 points per game while shooting 46.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range, numbers that made him look like a rotation piece with real shooting upside.
His second season told a different story. Knecht’s scoring dropped to 4.2 points per game on 45.5% shooting from the field and just 34.2% from three-point range. According to Sporting News, his one-dimensional offense and below-average defense factored into his shrinking role under Redick.
Knecht’s Next Steps
Knecht now enters waivers, and his next team is not yet known. Bleacher Report named the Charlotte Hornets as a potential landing spot, noting Charlotte had previously tried to trade for Knecht during the 2024-25 season. Whether Knecht clears waivers and which team ultimately signs him remains unresolved.
The Lakers’ roster situation ties into other recent moves, including their decision to sign Jahmir Young to an Exhibit 10 contract. For more on how the Lakers arrived at this 16-to-15 roster crunch, see the earlier report on the tough roster cut involving Knecht. The team’s backcourt depth is also under scrutiny after Redick’s comments on Bronny James’ preseason struggles.
No timeline has been given for when Knecht’s waiver status will be resolved or when he might sign with a new team. The Lakers open the regular season with their roster now at the required 15-man limit.
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