Lakers Prepared to Trade or Waive Dalton Knecht
The team needs to reach a 15-man roster limit before the upcoming NBA regular season starts.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Basketball
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The Los Angeles Lakers are planning to trade or waive shooting wing Dalton Knecht to reach the league-mandated 15-man roster limit. The front office is currently exploring trade packages involving Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt to add frontcourt depth.
Why it matters
Reducing the roster to 15 players is a mandatory step for the Lakers as they refine their lineup for the regular season. The team is prioritizing frontcourt upgrades, placing Knecht at risk of being moved or released.
Dalton Knecht, the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, recorded zero points, two rebounds, and one assist during his fourth-quarter appearance in the preseason game against the Sacramento Kings.
The players
Los Angeles Lakers
This is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles that competes in the Western Conference of the NBA.
Dalton Knecht
He is a third-year shooting wing and a former 17th overall draft pick who is currently battling for a roster spot.
Jarred Vanderbilt
He is a professional basketball player who is currently being packaged in trade discussions by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jaden Hardy
He is an NBA player who is actively competing against other roster hopefuls for the final spot on the team.
Sacramento Kings
This is a professional basketball team based in Sacramento that plays in the Western Conference of the NBA.
The details
The 25-year-old Knecht is fighting for his spot as Jaden Hardy also competes for the final roster vacancy. Having previously attempted to trade the shooting wing, the Lakers are now finalizing their roster management strategy.
Timeline
Dalton Knecht was selected 17th in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Knecht played in the preseason game against the Sacramento Kings on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The potential departure of Knecht highlights the roster crunch that teams must navigate to remain compliant with the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement roster limit. Managing these final spots is a critical move for the Lakers as they aim to optimize their frontcourt depth before the playoffs.
The release or trade of Knecht will clarify the final 15-man roster, determining which players are available for the upcoming season rotation. This move directly impacts the team's depth chart and could signal a shift toward acquiring veteran frontcourt support.
The takeaway
Roster management is an essential part of an NBA team's success as they prepare for the rigors of a long season. Fans and analysts should track these final roster moves to understand how the team will look in the upcoming months.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, check out the Los Angeles Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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