The Los Angeles Lakers have waived guard Dalton Knecht as part of their final roster moves ahead of the upcoming NBA regular season. Knecht, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2024, showed early promise during his rookie year but ultimately struggled to maintain consistent impact with the franchise.

Knecht, who was named the 2024 SEC Player of the Year at Tennessee, notably scored 37 points—including nine three-pointers—in a November 2024 game against Utah. During a nine-game stretch that month, he averaged 18.9 points per game, signaling potential as a rising star. However, he was unable to replicate that level of performance in subsequent seasons and did not secure a stable role in the Lakers’ rotation.

In February 2025, Knecht was briefly involved in a trade that would have sent him and teammate Cam Reddish, along with draft considerations, to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams. That deal was reversed within hours after Williams failed his physical exam, leaving Knecht with limited playing time for the Lakers. Last season, he averaged just 10 minutes per game.

The Lakers’ decision to waive Knecht clears a spot on the roster and confirms their commitment to retaining guard Bronny James for a third season. Bronny, the son of LeBron James—the NBA’s all-time leading scorer who left the team during the offseason—has appeared in 69 games over two seasons, averaging 2.7 points per contest.

Los Angeles will begin their 2026-2027 campaign at home, facing the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.