Lakers Finalize Roster After Cutting Dalton Knecht

When the league’s roster‑cut deadline rolled around, the Lakers found themselves one player short. After a frantic search for a trade partner fell flat, they simply waived former first‑rounder Dalton Knecht, leaving the club with 15 players under guaranteed contracts.

It’s a little bittersweet. Knecht arrived in L.A. as the 17th overall pick in 2024, flashed promise with a near‑10‑point average in his rookie year, and then, well, kind of fizzled out under the weight of expectations and a mid‑season trade that never materialized.

Anyway, here’s who’s left on the roster. Starting at the backcourt, the guards are Luka Dončić (yes, the Mavericks guard is apparently on a two‑way, a clear typo in the source – we’ll treat it as a placeholder), Cameron Carr, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Bronny James, Austin Reaves, Collin Sexton, and Matisse Thybulle. A blend of youth and seasoned shooters, they’ll be tasked with keeping the offense humming.

Moving up to the wings, the forward rotation now reads Jake LaRavia, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Adou Thiero, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Ziaire Williams. All of them have the size to contest paint work but also the ability to stretch the floor a bit, which fits the modern NBA play‑style the Lakers are trying to adopt.

In the middle, the big men are Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney. Kessler’s defensive instincts are a fan favorite, while Looney brings veteran poise and some unexpected passing flair for a center.

Lastly, the three two‑way players: Arthur Kaluma, Chris Manon, and AK Okereke. They’ll spend most of their time grinding in the G‑League, but the Lakers can call them up if injuries strike or if a spark is needed off the bench.

Looking ahead, the front office knows this roster isn’t a championship contender on paper, but it’s a foundation. If health holds up and the young pieces develop, the Lakers could surprise a few teams before the 2027 trade deadline, when they’ll likely be looking to add another piece or two.

The season kicks off Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors, so the new‑look squad gets its first real test under the bright lights of Crypto.com Arena. Fans will be watching closely to see if the gamble on youth pays off.