Dalton Knecht cleared out of the building Monday, and the roster finally settled at 15 with one sleep left before Golden State visits Crypto.com Arena. A franchise that spent the preseason shuffling camp bodies now has its cast, whether or not it is the one JJ Redick wanted.
The Last Cut
Knecht went from day-to-day with an illness to cleared to waived inside a single news cycle, with Shams Charania reporting the move Sunday night and ESPN's Dave McMenamin and the Los Angeles Times confirming it Monday. Silver Screen and Roll had reported the Lakers were hunting a workable trade to move him and bring back a center; none came. The payroll still sits at $201.3 million, nearly a million past the tax threshold, and the front office owns no clean first-round pick until 2031. The $4.2 million he was owed this season simply walks out the door.
Wednesday Under the Lights
The opener is Oct. 21 against the Warriors on ESPN, then the Clippers Oct. 23, a trip to Utah Oct. 25 and Portland at home Oct. 27. Golden State beat the Lakers twice in preseason, 124-98 and 101-89, but arrives with Jimmy Butler III, Moses Moody and Kristaps Porzingis out and Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski both listed day-to-day. Steve Kerr's group went 37-45 last season. The Lakers went 53-29, carried by a tenth-ranked offense and a 1.5 net rating that flattered nobody.
Sexton's Right Leg
Collin Sexton has been on the report since Oct. 5, now with a right lower leg issue and a projected return of Oct. 21. Lakers Nation reported Monday that he was feeling good after rejoining full practice. He averaged 15.4 points on 40.1 percent from three last season, exactly the shooting a Doncic pick-and-roll offense needs. Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr are also day-to-day with the same target date, so Redick's bench on opening night may be decided at shootaround.
Why did the Lakers waive Dalton Knecht?
The roster had to reach 15 before the opener and no trade materialized. Silver Screen and Roll reported the team had sought a deal that would return a center.
Is Stephen Curry playing against the Lakers on Oct. 21?
He is listed day-to-day with a right ankle issue. Butler, Moody and Porzingis are already ruled out for Golden State.
