Lakers waive Dalton Knecht, keep Bronny James

The Los Angeles Lakers waived forward Dalton Knecht on Monday, October 19, reducing their roster from 16 players on guaranteed contracts to the 15-player limit before the regular-season opener. Bronny James remained on the roster after the move. Knecht, selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, had competed for a place on the final roster after his role diminished over the past two seasons. The Lakers entered Monday with more guaranteed-contract players than the league’s standard roster limit allows. The cut came two days before the team’s scheduled season opener against the Golden State Warriors. Coach JJ Redick said last week that the Lakers had added wings and that Knecht was in a difficult position amid changes to the team’s needs and fit. Redick also said he believed Knecht had improved as a player over the past two years. Those comments described the team’s roster context; the Lakers’ decision brought the roster to the required size. Knecht’s playing time fell from 19.2 minutes per game as a rookie to 10.2 minutes last season, when he averaged 4.2 points. In four preseason games this month, he scored 11 points and made one of seven three-point attempts, according to...