The Los Angeles Lakers made their final roster cut for the regular season Monday, and man, it’s a big one: they waived guard Dalton Knecht. Yeah, the same Dalton Knecht who was their first-round pick in 2024. Crazy, right?
From “Star in the Making” to Off the Roster
Knecht was supposed to be a big deal. He was the 2024 SEC Player of the Year at Tennessee, and early in his rookie season, he actually flashed that potential. Remember that game in November 2024 against Utah? The dude dropped 37 points, hitting nine 3-pointers like it was nothing. For a nine-game stretch, he was averaging 18.9 points per game. We all thought, “Okay, this kid’s legit.”
But then, poof, that magic just vanished. He never got back to that level. Significant playing time? Gone. He even had that wild, brief trade to Charlotte in February 2025, where the Lakers sent him, Cam Reddish, and draft picks for Mark Williams, only for the deal to get scrapped hours later after Williams failed his physical. It was a bizarre moment that kinda summed up his struggle. Last season, he averaged a measly 10 minutes per game, never locking down a regular rotation spot. So, here we are, before opening night, and he’s out.
Bronny Stays as Lakers Kick Off New Era
So, what’s this mean for the squad? Well, the decision keeps guard Bronny James on the roster for the start of his third season. This is a big deal, especially with his dad, NBA all-time scoring leader LeBron James, having moved on in the offseason. Bronny’s been a bit of a project, appearing in 69 games over his first two seasons, averaging 2.7 points per game. Now, with Knecht gone, it’s clear the Lakers are committing to seeing what Bronny can become.
The Lakers kick off their regular season on Wednesday night. They’re playing at home, facing off against the Golden State Warriors. It’s gonna be interesting to see how this new-look roster, without Knecht and obviously without LeBron, starts things off. Get ready for some hoops, everyone!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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