Lakers will likely part ways with $18M disappointing former first-rounder, not Bronny James

The Los Angeles Lakers are moving into the Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves era head-on as they have made a lot of different roster decisions this summer. This season will be the first without LeBron James in almost a decade.

LA almost has an entirely different starting lineup, with the only two returning players being Doncic and Reaves. However, they already face a problem as they might have to cut someone to get down to the official roster limit.

“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 Lakers don’t necessarily have to cut anyone, as they could trade a couple of players. They have tried to shop Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht throughout the summer.

“The Lakers are actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks. After gaining two second-round picks in the Deandre Ayton trade, Los Angeles could consolidate those assets in a deal immediately for a starting-caliber wing," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

There have been no bidders for the duo. Knecht has had a tough go in LA after his trade was rescinded during his rookie campaign. However, there are real concerns that if Knecht doesn’t vastly improve during training camp, he will be the one who gets waived.

“The Lakers have to get down to 15 players before opening night of the regular season. How they get there is unclear, but Knecht could be on the chopping block. He must regain his confidence and perform. If not, DK likely gets waived, and there is no guarantee that he sticks in the NBA,” Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts wrote.

This is unfortunate for the former first-rounder, but it is just the reality. Knecht is only 25 years old, so other teams around the league will be interested in him, and it could be really good for him to get a fresh start.

Knecht is currently on his $18 million rookie contract. The Lakers will have to make a choice, but with Bronny James improving in the areas his coaches want him to and Knecht not doing the same, he could be the odd man out.

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