Hold up, fam, the NBA season is barely a day away and the rumor mill is already going absolutely wild. Teams are making moves right up to the wire, and one of the biggest stories popping off is the Los Angeles Lakers actively trying to ship off their 2024 first-round pick, Dalton Knecht. With the deadline to cut their roster from 16 guaranteed contracts down to 15 looming on Monday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Lakers spent the entire weekend trying to find a workable trade for the 25-year-old. The goal? Maybe even bring back a big man, like Milwaukee’s Jericho Sims. If they can’t swing a deal, Stein added, Knecht or someone else is getting waived by the cut-down buzzer. That’s a high-stakes play for a recent first-rounder, especially with the season tipping off in less than 24 hours.
Cavs Go All In on Peyton Watson, Keeping Mobley Safe
While the Lakers are scrambling, the Cleveland Cavaliers are making some seriously bold bets. Despite star forward Evan Mobley coming off a bit of a disappointing season, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Mobley is expected to be safe. Get this: the Cavs front office still “deeply believes” in him, even after they chose *not* to include him in offers for bonafide stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown earlier this offseason. Instead, Cleveland opted to acquire Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets. Windhorst explained that this move “caused them to make a series of expensive trades and salary shedding moves” because they genuinely “believe Watson is on the verge of a breakout” after he “showed flashes in Denver last season.” That’s a huge commitment, making expensive roster adjustments for a guy they think is about to pop. What a gamble.
Knicks Hold Firm on Kolek as Defending Champs Prepare for Battle
Meanwhile, over in New York, the defending champion Knicks are playing it cool with their 2024 second-round pick, Tyler Kolek. Marc Stein revealed that Kolek isn’t in jeopardy at all. The Knicks “did not shop” him to try and make roster room before Bruce Brown’s release on Saturday. Apparently, the only way Kolek would’ve been considered for a move before Tuesday’s season opener was “if the deal brought a coveted center to New York.” That’s confidence, right there, from a team that knows what it takes to win a championship. The Knicks are gearing up to officially kick off their 2026-27 season Tuesday night when they face off against the Philadelphia 76ers. The stakes are real, with teams making last-minute decisions that could define their entire season, all before the first tip-off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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