The NBA allows for 15 players under fully guaranteed contracts at the start of each season, along with three two-way contracts. The Los Angeles Lakers currently have 16 players under guaranteed contracts, which is allowed for the time being, but will need to be trimmed down before Opening Night on Oct. 21.
The Lakers have been rumored to be eyeing some trades with players such as Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt being mentioned, and it is still possible that could be the case. However, the more likely scenario is that the team goes through training camp and preseason before ultimately deciding on one player to waive before the regular season begins.
And there are a few players who are most likely under consideration to be cut due to their skillsets, contract situation, and other reasons.
Dalton Knecht
A first-round pick just two seasons ago, Knecht had a strong start to his career with the Lakers, but has tailed off immensely since. He remains an excellent scorer who has still shown that he can get buckets when given a larger role in spot games. But the rest of his game has not developed and he is a major liability on the defensive end.
Knecht is in the third-year of his rookie contract for $4.2 million with a team option for next year at $6.4 million. Waiving him would keep the Lakers on the hook only for what he is owed this season, which could make him an easy candidate to move on from. And while chances remain slim, he is still someone another team could be willing to take a chance on in a trade due to his scoring ability and team-friendly contract.
Jarred Vanderbilt
What Vanderbilt brings to the table is well known at this point. He remains an excellent defender and solid rebounder who brings a ton of energy to the game every time he steps on the court. He also brings an edge and attitude that the Lakers have often needed while also being an extremely beloved teammate by everyone, which is a big deal for team chemistry. He has also developed a close friendship with Luka Doncic, even serving as something of a protector for the Lakers superstar last season.
Vanderbilt’s offensive shortcomings are well-documented and has prevented him from being a consistent member of the rotation. He also has the biggest contract of the bunch, being owed $12.4 million this season and having a player option worth $13.3 million next season. The contract alone makes him more unlikely to be cut, in addition to his veteran locker room presence on a younger team.
Bronny James
Despite being under intense scrutiny since being drafted, Bronny James has grown in his two NBA seasons, even playing playoff minutes last year and holding up just fine. James is an excellent athlete and still holds potential as a strong point-of-attack defender, but needs to improve his consistency as a shooter and creator offensively.
James’ contract is the smallest of the group at just $2.3 million this season with a team option for next year at $2.5 million. This would seem to put him at the forefront of potentially being waived as it would hurt the Lakers the least financially, so he could need to show some serious growth towards realizing his potential in training camp.
The Lakers have invested a lot in James’ development though, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they want to see that through for another year.
Jaden Hardy
The only non-returning Lakers player on this list, Jaden Hardy came over in the Deandre Ayton trade and he has the most defined skillset of anyone else here. Hardy is a certified scorer and blossomed down the stretch of last season once given a bigger role with the Washington Wizards. While not the best creator or defender, Hardy is someone capable of scoring in bunches and operating as a floor spacer off the ball.
Hardy is owed $6 million this season with a team option for next year at the same $6 million price tag. The contract certainly isn’t big enough to prevent him from being waived, but with other, cheaper options available, a strong preseason could quickly move him off this list.
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