Lakers Exploring Trades For Forward With Roster Decision Looming

The Los Angeles Lakers are actively exploring trades for third-year forward Dalton Knecht, per Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

As the 2026-27 season draws near and teams contemplate roster spots, the Knicks and Lakers have both actively been exploring trade talks to move Pacome Dadiet and Dalton Knecht, respectively, sources told @ClutchPoints.

More on both situations during our live show at 3:30 PM ET.

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) October 15, 2026

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Knecht got reasonable game time with the Lakers during his rookie year in 2024-25, but a failed trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams saw his role and the trust he had in the organization shrink. In 2025-26 his minutes got cut in half, as did his production.

He averaged 10.2 minutes across 54 games in 2025-26, starting just once, while averaging 4.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game compared to his 9.1/2.8/0.8 stat line from the season prior.

The Lakers explored trades for Knecht all offseason, but are yet to get a deal across for the 25-year-old.

Why Won’t Dalton Knecht Play?

His role stands to shrink even more this year, with several offseason signings in front of him. Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams, all of whom signed with the team during the winter, stand in front of Knecht, as does first-round draft pick Cameron Carr.

The Lakers currently have 16 players on their roster, and they need to trim that number to 15 before the beginning of the regular season in less than a week. As it stands, Knecht could be the player the Lakers unload.

“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,” Khobi Price of the California Post wrote.

Despite the Lakers’ perceived value of Knecht, head coach JJ Redick had good things to say about him ahead of the 2026-27 season.

“First of all, he’s been a pro,” Redick said. “He’s been in the gym. Like he has since Day 1, he has worked his butt off all offseason. And he’s had a good three days of practice. So I don’t think his approach changes. I know he’s hungry to play and hungry to earn a spot in the rotation.”

The Lakers have less than a week to make their decision on the roster, as they have to cut themselves down to 15 players by Monday at 2:00 p.m. PT,

The post Lakers Exploring Trades For Forward With Roster Decision Looming appeared first on LA Sports Report.