Sports

Lakers' JJ Redick sends clear message on Dalton Knecht as roster spot hangs in the balance

Nairavoice · Oct 2, 2026 · 2 min read

Lakers’ JJ Redick sends clear message on Dalton Knecht as roster spot hangs in the balance originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Lakers are still at the point where they are trying to navigate who will and won’t make the roster this upcoming season. They are in this predicament because of the moves they have made over the offseason.

LA has changed its roster significantly and now must pay the price of adding too many players this summer. However, Lakers analyst Trevor Lane believes it will be Dalton Knecht that they cut.

“My assumption is that if they had to make a decision right now, they would not pick up the $6.4 million team-option on Dalton Knecht. He’s got between now and Halloween to change their mind,” Lane said.

There is no doubt that the former first-round pick is entering his third season with a lot of pressure, especially since he is already up against it. For the former Tennessee Volunteer, it is all about making the most of the opportunity.

“It’s a whole new opportunity for all of us,” Knecht said. “Like [coach] JJ [Redick] said, there’s a lot of minutes open.”

Knecht isn’t oblivious to the fact that his back is against the wall. After all, he watched his minutes go from being a starter in his rookie season to barely playing in his second. To make matters worse, head coach JJ Redick called the great shooter a pro.

“First of all, he’s been a pro. 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,” Redick said.

Anytime a head coach puts it in those terms, it is not good for that person. Being called a pro as someone who doesn’t play much is kind of a telling sign. While not verbally confirmed, it really does seem like Knecht is on the outside looking in.

It is unfortunate for the former first-round pick, but if it happens, it will allow him to go to a team where he is valued. For right now, it doesn’t seem the Lakers see him in the same light they did a couple of summers ago.