Lakers reportedly trying to trade Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht before start of season

The Los Angeles Lakers could still make another significant move before the 2026-27 NBA season gets underway, with Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht reportedly emerging as the two players most likely to be moved.

According to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer , the Lakers are still exploring trade possibilities involving both players as the franchise works toward finalizing its roster.

Los Angeles currently has 16 players on standard contracts and must get that number down to 15 before Opening Night.

That roster crunch gives the Lakers a practical reason to explore the trade market rather than simply releasing a player. Vanderbilt and Knecht have both previously appeared in trade rumors, and their situations make them logical names for the front office to investigate.

The possibility is particularly notable because both players traveled to Slovenia with the rest of the Lakers roster during Luka Doncic 's offseason minicamp.

Doncic organized the gathering in his home country as an opportunity for the revamped group to develop chemistry away from the pressure of the regular season. The trip featured basketball activities as well as social events and other team-building exercises.

Now, however, the Lakers may be prepared to make difficult personnel decisions as they attempt to build the strongest possible supporting cast around Doncic.

Why Vanderbilt and Knecht could be moved

Vanderbilt presents a complicated situation because of his contract. The defensive-minded forward has two years remaining on a deal worth $48 million, meaning a trade partner would have to take on significant salary.

His value on the court is also somewhat specialized. Vanderbilt can provide energy, rebounding and perimeter defense, but his offensive limitations, particularly as a shooter, have made it difficult for him to maintain a consistent role. Entering his fifth season with the Lakers, he has also faced periods of limited playing time under head coach JJ Redick.

Knecht's circumstances are different. The 25-year-old forward remains on his rookie contract after Los Angeles selected him 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.

The Lakers have nevertheless struggled to establish him as a consistent part of their rotation. His situation became even more complicated after the franchise's bizarre trade involving the Charlotte Hornets in February 2025.

Los Angeles sent Knecht and other assets to Charlotte in a deal for center Mark Williams . However, Williams failed his physical, prompting the Lakers and Hornets to rescind the trade and send Knecht back to Los Angeles.

Since returning, Knecht has not developed into the reliable contributor the Lakers hoped he would become, and his reduced role has fueled speculation that the organization could eventually move on.

The timing of the latest reports is also significant because Los Angeles has spent much of the offseason attempting to address the roster around Doncic.

The Lakers added Walker Kessler to strengthen their interior presence and brought in several other players as they attempt to construct a more balanced team for their new era.

Their offseason plans also included an attempt to land Jonathan Kuminga , but the versatile wing ultimately chose the Minnesota Timberwolves on a two-year, $12.4 million contract.

Kuminga's decision leaves Los Angeles still searching for additional athleticism and defensive versatility on the wing. That could explain why Vanderbilt and Knecht are being considered as potential trade pieces rather than simply roster casualties.

For the Lakers, the objective is not necessarily to move either player for the sake of making a deal. The bigger priority is finding a player or package that better fits the roster surrounding Doncic and Austin Reaves.

With the season approaching, Los Angeles therefore has a relatively short window to decide whether Vanderbilt and Knecht remain part of the plan or become assets in another transaction.

The two players were recently teammates on a trip designed to build chemistry and establish a new identity. Yet with the Lakers still above the roster limit and reportedly seeking another wing upgrade, their futures in Los Angeles could now depend on what the front office can find on the trade market.