From California Post · · 1m 20s
The Lakers still have two names on the block
Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht are reportedly on the move before Opening Night, and the roster math says someone has to go.
In brief
Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht are reportedly on the move before Opening Night, and the roster math says someone has to go. A 16-man roster has to be 15 by Opening Night, and Vanderbilt and Knecht are the two most likely to be cut loose. Originally reported by California Post.
The retool isn't done
Weeks after the whole roster flew to Slovenia for Luka Doncic's four-day minicamp, two of the players on that trip are reportedly available.
“The Lakers may not be finished retooling their roster.”
Two names on the block
Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reports the Lakers are shopping Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht ahead of Opening Night.
Sixteen into fifteen
The roster sits at 16 players and the limit is 15. Trading or waiving someone is the only way out, and these two are the front-runners.
“The Lakers have 16 players on their roster and need to trim it to 15.”
Knecht was already traded once
In February 2025 he went to Charlotte for center Mark Williams. Three days later Williams failed his physical and Knecht was shipped back to LA.
Vanderbilt's contract is the problem
Two years and $48 million remain on his deal, which makes him far harder to move or waive than a third-year player on a rookie contract.
Still hunting a wing
Missing out on Jonathan Kuminga left a hole at versatile wing defender. The Lakers are trying to fill it before the season tips off.
“LA still has a hole on the roster”
The takeaway
A 16-man roster has to be 15 by Opening Night, and Vanderbilt and Knecht are the two most likely to be cut loose.
