Lakers face roster decisions as team prepares to finalize regular season lineup
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 11:49 PM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026

The Los Angeles Lakers enter the final stages of their offseason preparations with 16 players on their standard roster, requiring the release or trade of one individual to reach the 15-man league limit. Bronny James, entering his third season, remains under contract and has been mentioned in trade speculation following the departure of his father to the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite rumors, team analysts suggest the organization is currently inclined to retain James as a developing asset. Conversely, Dalton Knecht faces uncertainty regarding his team-option, which the club must decide on by the end of October. Other roster members such as Jake LaRavia and Jaden Hardy also remain subject to potential moves as the front office balances salary constraints with a need for additional roster reinforcements.
- •The Los Angeles Lakers currently carry 16 players on their standard roster.
- •The organization must release or trade one player to comply with league rules.
- •Bronny James holds a guaranteed contract for the 2026-27 season.
- •The Lakers face an October deadline to exercise a team-option on Dalton Knecht.
- •Jake LaRavia and Jaden Hardy are identified as potential trade candidates due to their expiring contracts.
- 11:49 PMYahoo Sports — Bronny James Gets New Word on Lakers Future as Major Cut Decision Expected
"As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to sift through their offseason points of emphasis, the chatter around Bronny James still hasn’t tapered off. The 21-year-old guard, who is entering his third season, has been a subject of NBA trade rumors since the very moment his father informed the Lakers he wasn’t going to return to the […] The post Bronny James Gets New Word on Lakers Future as Major Cut Decision Expected appeared first on HEAVY.
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