The Los Angeles Lakers face a roster crunch that requires trimming one player before the regular season begins, after adding forward Matisse Thybulle in free agency.
That move pushed the team over the standard limit, forcing a decision on who stays and who goes. Among the names drawing attention is guard Bronny James, whose future has drawn extra scrutiny following his father LeBron James’ departure in free agency to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha recently outlined the situation and identified the main candidates for removal.
“And at that point, it doesn’t really matter from a financial perspective unless you’re waiving someone who’s got additional years. So, I guess it’s a competition between Bronny, Jaden Hardy, and Dalton Knecht. I’d probably lean Dalton.”
Buha pointed to Knecht, Hardy and Bronny James as the realistic options under consideration. Each brings different strengths and questions about their fit moving forward. He indicated Knecht appears most vulnerable because the young forward has not shown the growth many expected since the Lakers drafted him.
Bronny James also entered the conversation largely because his father’s exit to Philadelphia has changed the dynamics around the organization. Without LeBron on the roster, some observers wonder whether the younger James retains the same level of priority.
The Lakers’ backcourt already looks crowded for the upcoming season. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are projected to handle heavy minutes as the primary creators on offense, likely logging around 35 minutes apiece most nights.
Collin Sexton arrived via free agency with the expectation that he would serve as a key reserve and absorb guard minutes when either starter rests. Those additions, along with others, have pushed Bronny further down the depth chart and limited his path to consistent playing time.
Quentin Grimes could open games at small forward, though his style often mirrors that of a shooting guard and further thickens the options on the perimeter. By comparison, the forward group appears thinner, which could open more opportunities for players like Knecht or Hardy who offer greater size and positional flexibility than Bronny.
Despite landing on the short list of potential cuts, Bronny is not viewed as the likeliest to depart. Buha has suggested Knecht remains the strongest candidate to be traded or waived, citing a drop in organizational confidence compared with the optimism that surrounded his selection by general manager Rob Pelinka.
Last season offered little encouragement for Knecht’s development. Head coach JJ Redick used him sparingly and showed limited belief that the forward would take meaningful steps forward during the year.
The Lakers could explore deals that send Knecht or another player elsewhere in exchange for a second-round draft pick, allowing them to clear a roster spot without adding a new body. That approach appears more plausible with Knecht, especially after the team also lost LeBron James and Rui Hachimura.
Thybulle and Jake LaRavia are expected to take on larger roles among the forwards, potentially squeezing Knecht’s opportunities even more. Hardy may receive a longer look in training camp simply because Redick has had less time to evaluate him closely.
While Knecht currently stands out as the most probable odd man out, the possibility remains that the Lakers could ultimately part ways with Bronny James if they prioritize keeping more forward depth. The final decision will likely become clearer once training camp and preseason games provide additional evidence about each player’s readiness for the season ahead.
For now, the organization must balance development prospects, positional needs and the overall construction of a competitive roster around Doncic and Reaves. Bronny James continues working to prove his value as a young guard capable of contributing in limited minutes, even as the landscape around him has shifted significantly this offseason.
