The Los Angeles Lakers are going to have an interesting training camp as they already have one player over the roster limit. This is due to a whole lot of roster shuffling this summer involving trades and signings.
Now, LA is faced with the task of trying to find players to trade or waive. There have been some thoughts that Dalton Knecht could be used in a consolidation-type trade to clear room.
“My understanding is a consolidation trade. Obviously, it would be two-for-one, three-for-one, or three-for-two is a little more complicated," Lakers insider Jovan Buha said."So I think the most straightforward one would be two-for-one…And depending on the configuration of the trade, it could be a version of two of the back-end guys, let's say Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy, for a backup center."
If the Lakers are unable to find a trade partner, they will have to find someone to cut. There are some names that are on the chopping block. Back in the summer, these three names were already on the chopping block.
“Clearly, the Lakers need to dump someone, and I think it's going to be one of three players," Lakers insider Jovan Buha said. "It's going to either be Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, or Bronny James."
The season is just a few weeks away, with it now being October, so time is officially of the essence. With it becoming clearer who is more likely not to make the roster, NBA insider Brett Siegel has named Knecht as a real possibility to be cut.
“Key names we are keeping an eye on as potential roster cuts in training camp: LAL: Dalton Knecht,” Siegel wrote.
It is becoming more apparent over the span of the last couple of days that Knecht is no longer really valued in LA. After his amazing start to his rookie season, he has not done much for the organization since.
Knecht is currently on his $18 million rookie deal with the Lakers. He will be looking to have a fresh start somewhere else where he will be valued. After all, he still has what it takes to be an NBA player.
