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Lakers Waive Former 1st-Round Pick Dalton Knecht Ahead of Opening Night
The move clears the final roster spot as the Lakers keep Bronny James and move on from a former first-round pick who lost minutes last season.
- On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers waived 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht to meet the NBA's 15-player roster limit before Wednesday's season opener against the Golden State Warriors.
- Knecht's departure follows a turbulent tenure that included a failed February 2025 trade to the Charlotte Hornets, after which he never secured a consistent rotation spot.
- Lakers coach JJ Redick explained the team's growing collection of perimeter players left Knecht in a difficult position, as he averaged 2.8 points across four preseason games.
- With the waiver, the Lakers finalized their 15-man roster for Wednesday's season opener, retaining guards Jaden Hardy and Bronny James on the roster.
- Knecht will seek to continue his career elsewhere after clearing waivers, though the Lakers remain responsible for his $4.2 million contract for the 2026-27 season.
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Both Knecht and Jaden Hardy and Bronny James were the players whose continuity was in danger between the ranks of the Lakers.
·Madrid, Spain
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Lakers release former first-round pick Dalton Knecht - Regional Media News
By Field Level Media Oct 19 (Field Level Media) - The Los Angeles Lakers waived former first-round pick Dalton Knecht on Monday to reach the NBA roster limit of 15 players ahead of the 5 p.m. ET deadline. Knecht, a forward, averaged 4.2 points and [...]
In 2025 the Lakers tried to trade Dalton Knecht in exchange for Mark Williams, but the operation failed for medical details.
·Los Angeles, United States
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Total News Sources55
Leaning Left10Leaning Right8Center15Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 30%
C 46%
R 24%
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