New York Post ↗· 21 Sept 2026
Waiver · LAL
Developing
Jarred VanderbiltJaden HardyDalton Knecht

Lakers weigh trades or waivers to shed one roster spot

The Lakers sit at 16 guaranteed contracts, one over the league's regular-season limit, after signing Matisse Thybulle in late July. Jaden Hardy, Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt are seen as the likeliest players to be moved or waived before camp.

A 2-for-1 trade sending out two of them for a single expiring contract is viewed as the most likely path, potentially netting a second-round pick. Outright waiving Hardy or Knecht is considered the least desirable option since the stretch-provision deadline has already passed.


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