The Los Angeles Lakers now have to make an important decision about finalizing their lineup ahead of the 2026-27 NBA regular season opener.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer on X (formerly Twitter), the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Milwaukee Bucks are exploring potential trades as they look to address their roster situations.
The three teams, along with the Charlotte Hornets, are over the roster limit, with Charlotte still deciding on veteran Pat Connaughton’s future.
Lakers need to remove one player ahead of new NBA season
The Los Angeles Lakers entered training camp with 16 players signed to standard, guaranteed NBA contracts.
Franchises can carry up to 21 players during the offseason and preseason, but they must trim the squad down to a maximum of 15 standard players (plus three two-way contracts) by the league's roster deadline on Monday.
The Lakers will open their season next Wednesday at home against the Golden State Warriors.
Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, Jaden Hardy among candidates for Lakers' looming player cut
The likes of Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, and Bronny James are often being discussed as potential candidates the Los Angeles Lakers might move.
Knecht stands as the current frontrunner to be released amid his struggles and fallout from JJ Redick's rotation since last season.
As Hardy has proven he can be productive during the Lakers' recent preseason games, there was recent chatter around James, on the other hand, following Redick's cryptic comments on the Lakers guard.