Dalton Knecht could be the odd man out as the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to trim their roster to the NBA’s 15-player limit.
Khobi Price of the California Post reported that multiple rival executives expect Knecht to be released as the Lakers reduce their roster from 16 players on standard NBA contracts.
“Not a good sign for Dalton Knecht, whom multiple rival executives expect to be the odd man out as the Lakers look to trim their roster from 16 players on standard NBA deals to the league maximum of 15,” Price reported.
Knecht, 25, is entering the third year of his four-year, $18.5 million rookie-scale contract. The Lakers hold a team option on the final year of the deal, but his roster spot could now be in jeopardy before the start of the regular season.
The former Tennessee standout had a productive rookie season in Los Angeles. Knecht appeared in all 78 games in 2024-25, starting 16, while averaging 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game.
He shot 46.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range on 4.4 attempts per game. His 9.1 points per game ranked behind the Lakers’ primary scorers, but his perimeter shooting provided an important part of his offensive profile.
Knecht’s role declined significantly during his second season. He played in 54 games in 2025-26 and averaged only 10.2 minutes, with his production falling to 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. His three-point percentage also dropped to 34.2%.
Across his first two NBA seasons, Knecht has appeared in 132 games, including 17 starts. He has averaged 7.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 15.5 minutes per game while shooting 36.8% from three.
The Lakers’ offseason reshaped the roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves following LeBron James’ departure to the Philadelphia 76ers. Los Angeles added Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams, while also drafting Cameron Carr with the No. 24 pick.
Those additions have increased competition for minutes on the wing and in the backcourt. Doncic, Reaves, Grimes, Sexton, Jaden Hardy, Carr and Bronny James are among the team’s perimeter options, while Thybulle provides another wing capable of playing either end of the floor.
