The Los Angeles Lakers are very close to beginning the regular season, as they open their campaign Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors. LA is ready to start a new era, as LeBron James and several others are no longer part of the team.
The Lakers had to let go of one player before Monday. The presumed option was Dalton Knecht.
“My assumption is that if they had to make a decision right now, they would not pick up the $6.4 million team-option on Dalton Knecht. He's got between now and Halloween to change their mind," Lakers analyst Trevor Lane said.
LA has turned away from Knecht over the last couple of years. The team simply doesn't see the same value in him as it once did. Head coach JJ Redick feels that Knecht was given enough opportunities.
“I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the injuries we had. I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings and he’s in a tough spot right now,” Redick said.
Unsurprisingly, the former first-round pick was waived on Monday. However, the Lakers made a mistake last October by picking up his contract option, meaning they will have to pay him this season.
“The Lakers decided to pick up Dalton Knecht’s $4.2 million team option for 2026-27 last October, assuming at the very least they would be able to trade him. After trying for a year, they obviously found no takers and now will keep his dead money on their books for the upcoming season if he is not claimed on waivers (he won’t be). Poor asset management has become a theme for this front office over the years,” Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand wrote.
For Knecht, this is huge, as he will still receive his money for what would have been the final year of his deal. For the Lakers, this is a situation they would have loved to avoid, as they are now stuck with the financial consequences of that decision.
LA missed on this first-round pick, even though Knecht was once a highlight during his rookie season. The Lakers can now focus on the season, but their decision last October comes with a cost after Monday's move.
