We seemingly got some clarity on Bronny James' future with the Los Angeles Lakers.
After his father, LeBron James, left for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, the third-year pro found himself on the bubble to make the Lakers' final roster alongside former first-round pick Dalton Knecht. Those rumors continued to swirl on Monday ahead of the 5 p.m. ET cut deadline as coach JJ Redick said both James and Knecht were excused from Monday's practice session
.However, it was ultimately Knecht — the No. 17 pick in 2024 coming out of Tennessee — who Los Angeles opted to waive on Monday afternoon.
The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving 2024 No. 17 pick Dalton Knecht, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/SaeDxdSBUo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2026
Knecht came on strong early in his rookie
season when he was thrust into the starting lineup, but he was included in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets in February 2025 that was later rescinded. He has struggled since returning to the team and averaged just 10.2 minutes and 4.2 points while starting only six games during the 2025-26 season.
James, a late second-round pick for the Lakers in 2024, is averaging just 8.1 minutes per game in just 69 appearances across his first two seasons, having spent some of that time in the G League. He made some strides down the stretch last season, scoring in double figures three times in the final two weeks of the regular season, but he has struggled so far in preseason action.
In five preseason games, James is averaging 16.4 minutes but just 2.2 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 25% from the field.
That fueled speculation that the Lakers could choose to move on, especially with his future Hall-of-Famer father no longer on the roster, but it seems that James will remain with Los Angeles for the start of the 2026-27 season, barring something unforeseen.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: What Lakers' decision on Dalton Knecht means for Bronny James
