Lakers Waive Guard Dalton Knecht
The Los Angeles Lakers have cut 25-year-old Dalton Knecht from the roster as they manage their current lineup size.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball
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The Los Angeles Lakers officially waived guard Dalton Knecht on Monday. The move leaves the 25-year-old player entering NBA free agency during the 2026-27 season.
Why it matters
The team decided to release Knecht to manage their 16-player guaranteed roster count. Head coach JJ Redick determined that Knecht no longer fit the current strategic direction of the franchise.
Dalton Knecht, the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, averaged 9.1 points per game while shooting 37.6 percent from three-point range during his rookie campaign. He was waived while entering the final year of his rookie deal valued at $4.2 million.
The players
Dalton Knecht
He is a 25-year-old professional basketball player who was originally selected as the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
JJ Redick
He currently serves as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the team roster.
The details
Knecht spent two seasons with the organization, though his playing time saw a decrease during his second year. The team previously attempted to trade the guard in a deal involving Mark Williams, but that transaction was rescinded after Williams failed a physical examination.
Timeline
Dalton Knecht was drafted with the 17th pick in 2024.
The Los Angeles Lakers waived Dalton Knecht on Monday, October 19, 2026.
The 2026-27 season is the current period for NBA free agency and team play.
Season Trajectory
The departure of Knecht highlights the aggressive roster management being utilized by the Lakers to balance depth against performance expectations. This move positions the franchise to finalize its rotation for the 2026-27 season while Knecht seeks a new role elsewhere.
Knecht is expected to pursue a two-way contract, with the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, and Portland Trail Blazers identified as potential landing spots. His availability as a free agent changes the depth charts for those interested teams heading into the remainder of the season.
The takeaway
Players waived during the season often look to provide immediate value through two-way contracts to stay active in the league. Teams frequently use these late-roster adjustments to optimize their lineups for specific coaching systems and rotational needs.
Further reading
For more updates on player movement and roster changes, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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