The Los Angeles Lakers are currently one player over the league’s roster limit, and they have to make a tough call before the regular season even begins. With 16 players on standard NBA deals and the league maximum set at 15, something’s gotta give, even though LA is reportedly excited about its current roster. The name everyone’s watching is Dalton Knecht, and he could be traded or even outright cut.
Dalton Knecht: The Odd Man Out?
This preseason just hasn’t been a good look for Dalton Knecht, the former first-round pick. California Post’s Khobi Price isn’t pulling any punches, writing that it’s “not a good sign for Knecht.” Price also shared that “multiple rival executives expect to be the odd man out” as the Lakers look to trim their roster down. It sounds like the writing might be on the wall for Knecht, which is a wild thought for a former first-rounder this early in the game. It just goes to show how quickly things can change in this league, especially when a team’s already loaded up.
Vanderbilt’s $48 Million Question and Consolidation Trades
If Knecht is indeed the one cut, then Jarred Vanderbilt steps into the spotlight as the most logical trade candidate on the roster, according to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley. It seems the Lakers might be thinking Vanderbilt’s defensive impact just isn’t enough to cover his offensive limitations. But Buckley makes a great point: other teams might see things differently, recognizing him as a “defense-first energizer” who could get back to that role elsewhere.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha also chimed in, saying his “understanding is a consolidation trade.” This usually means a two-for-one situation, or possibly three-for-two, but a two-for-one is “the most straightforward one.” Buha even suggested a scenario like “Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy, for a backup center.” Vanderbilt is currently in the middle of a $48 million contract, and with his role diminishing quickly in LA, a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs, and what some other team needs for a valuable defensive weapon.
LA has some time left to make these critical decisions. But whether it’s Knecht getting cut, Vanderbilt getting traded, or some combination, these moves are happening soon. Figuring out who stays and who goes will really set the stage for how this Lakers team approaches the upcoming season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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