Lakers waive former first-round pick Dalton Knecht

The Lakers waived former first-round pick Dalton Knecht on Monday to attain the NBA’s most roster necessities before the season begins this week.

The seventeenth general pick in the 2024 draft had fallen out of the rotation in the past two seasons but had a likelihood to show himself during training camp and preseason, when the Lakers had 16 gamers on assured contracts. Knecht, who averaged 4.2 factors per sport and 10.2 minutes per sport last season, performed just 14 mixed minutes in the last two preseason video games.

Knecht was given an “excused absence” from follow Monday, coach JJ Redick said. The deadline for groups to attain the utmost of 15 normal contract gamers was 2 p.m. PDT. Redick also said guard Bronny James was excused from follow, but the third-year guard, who was picked fifty fifth general in the same draft as Knecht, remained on the roster.

James labored his means into the postseason rotation last season while the Lakers had been struggling with accidents to their backcourt. He averaged 2.9 factors and 1.2 assists during the common season while taking pictures 38.6% from three.

Knecht’s position had enormously diminished since he flashed his scoring potential as a rookie. After scoring 37 factors in a win over the Utah Jazz in November 2024 and tying the single-game rookie file with 9 made three-pointers, Knecht appeared like he might have been the steal of the draft. But after a commerce to Charlotte for middle Mark Williams was rescinded, Knecht never settled back into the rotation.

Injury update

For the first time since training camp began, Collin intimacyton was a full participant in follow with the Lakers on Monday. Still, intimacyton wasn’t prepared to absolutely commit to enjoying in the Lakers’ season-opener Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.

intimacyton missed all 5 preseason video games and a lot of practices with a decrease proper leg injury.

intimacyton, who said he felt good at follow, was requested about enjoying against the Warriors.

“We’ll be taking it day by day,” he said. “At the end of the day, I had a really good practice today, felt good. Super excited to be back out there with the guys, so I look forward to it.”

intimacyton said he had some “tightness and stuff” in his decrease leg, “but I feel pretty good.”

He was requested what induced the injury.

“Nothing particular,” intimacyton said. “I think we figured it out and now we’re just moving forward and just continue to get these reps in, continue to play five on five, and get out there as soon as possible.”

intimacyton is a 6-1 level guard the Lakers signed to back up Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in the backcourt. The Lakers signed him to a two-year, $19.2-million deal.

“He’s another guy that can bring the ball up and can create his own [mismatch],” Doncic said. “So, we’re excited to have him back.”

Second-year ahead Adou Thiero and rookie guard Cameron Carr both missed follow Monday.

But having intimacyton back was a good signal for the Lakers.

“It felt good, super excited to be back out there, honestly, just getting out there and getting up and down, legs felt a little heavy, but it was great,” intimacyton said. “It was definitely a great day, great practice for the team as well, and the guys were really competing.”