Lakers get Dalton Knecht trade update from NBA insider as LA continues to pursue potential deal image
Mar 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) reacts after scoring a three point basket against the New York Knicks during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers have less than a week to finalize their roster, and they currently have one more player than the league allows. There appears to be a consensus about who could be cut if the team cannot make a trade.
Dalton Knecht currently seems to be the most likely candidate to be waived. However, there are reports that the Lakers are trying to find a consolidation trade.
“My understanding is a consolidation trade. Obviously, it would be two-for-one, three-for-one, or three-for-two is a little more complicated," Lakers insider Jovan Buha said."So I think the most straightforward one would be two-for-one…And depending on the configuration of the trade, it could be a version of two of the back-end guys, let's say Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy, for a backup center."
The bad news for Knecht is that little has gone his way during the preseason.
“Not a good sign for Knecht, whom multiple rival executives expect to be the odd man out as the Lakers look to trim their roster from 16 players on standard NBA deals to the league maximum of 15," California Post’s Khobi Price wrote.
With less than a week remaining, it has seemed increasingly likely that Los Angeles will waive Knecht. However, a recent report from NBA insider Jake Fischer suggests the Lakers are still trying to find a trade partner.
“Have heard the Bucks, Lakers and Grizzlies all exploring trades. Hornets have to weigh the locker room value of retaining Pat Connaughton,” Fischer posted.
The Lakers are reportedly looking to move Knecht and another player in a consolidation trade if the right center becomes available. That remains a potential path for the former first-round pick, who could benefit from a fresh start elsewhere rather than remaining in a situation where he has struggled to secure a role. If the Lakers waive him, he would also face uncertainty about where he could continue his NBA career.
Over the next few days, the Lakers are expected to continue exploring trade options involving Knecht. If they cannot find a suitable deal, however, waiving him could become their remaining option to get down to the league's 15-player limit.
More NBA news: