The Los Angeles Lakers have waived Dalton Knecht ahead of the 2026-27 NBA regular season, ending the former first-round pick’s latest chapter with the franchise. The decision allows the Lakers to meet the NBA’s 15-player roster limit while retaining young guards Bronny James and Jaden Hardy.
Knecht entered the preseason hoping to secure a place in the Lakers’ rotation, but his limited production and the team’s changing roster needs ultimately worked against him. His departure also raises questions about Los Angeles’ depth at the forward positions as head coach JJ Redick prepares for the new season.
Why Did the Lakers Release Dalton Knecht?
The Lakers waived Dalton Knecht on Monday, October 19, 2026, to meet the league’s roster limit before the deadline. The 25-year-old forward had struggled to establish himself during the preseason, making it difficult for him to secure a spot on the final roster.
Knecht averaged just 2.8 points per game during the 2026 preseason, shooting 25% from the field on three makes in 12 attempts. His most productive performance came against the Golden State Warriors on October 6, when he scored 11 points in 22 minutes. He was scoreless in each of his other three preseason appearances.
The Lakers also appear to have found alternative options on the wing, including Ziaire Williams, whose defensive versatility and potential as a three-and-D player helped strengthen his case for a roster spot.
Knecht’s departure suggests the Lakers preferred to prioritize their current rotation needs rather than continue developing a player who had struggled to maintain consistent production.
Dalton Knecht’s Lakers Statistics and Career
Knecht arrived in Los Angeles with considerable expectations after an impressive college career. The Lakers selected him with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft following his standout season at Tennessee.
He earned Southeastern Conference Player of the Year honors and was named a consensus first-team All-American before entering the NBA.
His rookie season offered reasons for optimism. Knecht averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds across 78 games, including 16 starts. His perimeter shooting and scoring ability made him a potential contributor off the bench.
However, his role diminished during his second NBA season. Knecht averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 54 games, starting only once and playing an average of 10.2 minutes per contest.
His reduced production, combined with an inconsistent preseason, left him vulnerable when the Lakers needed to finalize their roster.
Why Did the Lakers Keep Bronny James Instead of Dalton Knecht?
One of the biggest questions following the Dalton Knecht news is why the Lakers retained Bronny James while releasing a former first-round selection.
Bronny remains a developmental prospect for the franchise. Although his immediate role may be limited, the Lakers have shown a willingness to continue evaluating his potential rather than move on before giving him additional opportunities.
The arrival of Collin Sexton has increased competition in the backcourt, making roster decisions more complicated. With established guards already occupying significant minutes, Bronny and Jaden Hardy could face challenges finding regular playing time early in the season.
Nevertheless, keeping Bronny gives the Lakers an opportunity to continue assessing his progress. Hardy also remains in contention after joining the organization in a trade involving the Washington Wizards.
Knecht, meanwhile, faced a different situation. His position on the wing was affected by the team’s changing personnel and the emergence of other options.
The decision does not necessarily mean Bronny is guaranteed a larger role than Knecht would have received. Instead, it reflects the Lakers’ roster priorities and their assessment of which players offer the most value moving forward.
Bronny James Lakers Practice Absence: What Does It Mean?
Searches for Bronny James Lakers practice absence have also drawn attention as fans monitor the young guard’s status ahead of the regular season.
However, the available information surrounding Knecht’s release does not establish that Bronny missed practice because of an injury or that any practice absence influenced the Lakers’ roster decision.
A confirmed explanation would require an official Lakers update or reliable reporting specifically addressing Bronny’s availability. Without that information, it would be premature to connect a possible practice absence to the decision to waive Knecht.
Bronny’s roster status and his day-to-day availability are separate issues. His retention means he remains part of the Lakers’ plans, but his minutes will depend on his development, performance and the coaching staff’s rotation decisions.
How Dalton Knecht’s Release Affects the Lakers Depth Chart
Knecht’s departure leaves the Lakers with another roster decision to manage as they work to establish a reliable rotation.
Based on the roster outlook described in the supplied reports, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler are among the players expected to play prominent roles. The forward positions, however, remain less settled.
Quentin Grimes and Ziaire Williams could compete for opportunities at small forward, while Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt offer different options at power forward. Their respective shooting, defensive skills and experience will help determine how the rotation develops.
Knecht could have provided additional perimeter scoring, but the Lakers appear comfortable exploring other combinations.
JJ Redick will need to identify the most effective lineups while balancing offensive spacing, defensive versatility and player development. Preseason performances and early regular-season results should provide a clearer picture of which forwards earn consistent minutes.
What’s Next for Dalton Knecht?
Being waived by the Lakers does not necessarily mark the end of Dalton Knecht’s NBA career. At 25, he still has the opportunity to pursue another team and demonstrate that his shooting and scoring ability can translate into a productive role.
His rookie season showed that he can contribute offensively, but his declining playing time highlights the importance of consistency and defensive reliability in earning NBA minutes.
A team looking for perimeter shooting and additional wing depth could consider Knecht if his contract situation and available roster spots make an opportunity possible.
For Knecht, the next step will be finding an organization where he can compete for a meaningful role and rebuild the momentum he generated during his college career and first NBA season.
Final Takeaway
The Lakers’ decision to release Dalton Knecht reflects a combination of roster-limit requirements, preseason struggles and competition for playing time. While Knecht showed promise during his rookie campaign, his production declined last season and remained inconsistent during the preseason.
Bronny James and Jaden Hardy survived the roster cut, giving the Lakers additional young guards to evaluate. The decision leaves Redick with several questions to answer about the team’s forward rotation and overall depth.
As the 2026-27 NBA season approaches, attention will remain on Bronny’s development, the Lakers’ final lineup combinations and whether Dalton Knecht can secure another opportunity elsewhere in the league.
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