Lakers Kept Bronny James Over Dalton Knecht Despite 2.2 PPG Preseason — Here’s Why
The basketball operations story behind the celebrity roast at MSG
The Los Angeles Lakers waived first-round pick Dalton Knecht and retained Bronny James on their opening-night roster despite the younger James averaging 2.2 points on 26% shooting across six preseason games, according to league transaction reports.
The decision came into sharper focus Tuesday when comedian Tracy Morgan, appearing on NBC Sports’ Knicks championship coverage at Madison Square Garden, said James “look like he got JUCO ball written all over him.” Former Knick Carmelo Anthony laughed on camera. The clip spread rapidly across social platforms.
But the roster move itself tells a different story than the celebrity commentary. Knecht, selected 17th overall in June, shot 38% from three-point range at Tennessee last season and was viewed as immediate perimeter help for a Lakers team that ranked 25th in three-point percentage in 2023-24. James, the 55th pick, posted a 14.8% three-point rate in the preseason.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has repeatedly framed the 55th pick as a developmental asset. “We’re building a program for him,” Pelinka said in July. The organization assigned James to the South Bay Lakers for significant G League minutes last season — a path Knecht, at 23, would not have required.
The financial structure reinforces the developmental view. James’ four-year, $7.9 million contract includes only $2.8 million guaranteed through year two. Knecht’s standard rookie scale deal would have carried full guarantees through year three. Waiving Knecht saves the Lakers roughly $4.5 million in guaranteed money over that span while keeping a roster spot for a two-way conversion candidate.
LeBron James, now with Philadelphia after signing a two-year, $104 million deal in July, scored 14 points in his 76ers debut Tuesday as Philadelphia beat the ring-raising Knicks 106-100. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 28. Jaylen Brown added 19 for Boston in a separate opener.
Bronny James did not play in the Lakers’ season opener Thursday against Minnesota. Head coach JJ Redick said the plan remains heavy G League usage with NBA call-ups for specific matchups. The Lakers’ next three games feature defensive schemes that would challenge a rookie guard still adjusting to NBA speed.
Morgan’s remark, delivered during a championship banner ceremony for New York’s first title since 1973, became the night’s most-shared off-court moment. Sports influencer Kristopher London called the comment “premeditated.” CBS Sports’ Brandon Howard labeled it “lame.” Neither addressed the roster construction question the Lakers front office answered weeks ago.
