The move trims Los Angeles to the league-mandated 15 players ahead of the season.
The Lakers waived Dalton Knecht on Monday afternoon, the team announced, settling a roster crunch that had lingered since the preseason. The move brings Los Angeles down to 15 players, the limit allowed under NBA rules, and confirms that Bronny James will stay on the roster.
The Lakers had carried 16 players through the preseason, forcing a choice between Knecht and James. Both players sat out practice ahead of Monday's 2 p.m. cut deadline, with head coach JJ Redick saying the two were "under the weather." There had been trade chatter over the weekend involving Knecht, but president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka opted for an outright waiver instead of working a deal.
The decision reflects a basic market problem: other teams have little incentive to give up assets for a player they could simply wait to see released and sign for nothing. By cutting Knecht loose rather than trading him, the Lakers close out their roster business and head into the season with their 15 under contract.