Sports · Basketball · 2 hrs ago
Lakers waive Dalton Knecht as Bucks release Kevin Porter Jr
The Los Angeles Lakers waived Dalton Knecht ahead of the NBA roster deadline.
The Milwaukee Bucks released Kevin Porter Jr. as they finalized their squad for the upcoming season.
Knecht, the 17th pick in the 2024 draft, spent two seasons with Los Angeles and averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds as a rookie.
He struggled in his second season, and the Lakers reportedly explored a trade before waiving him.
Porter joined Milwaukee from the Clippers in February 2025 after playing for PAOK in 2024, and averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.2 steals last season.
A knee injury and surgery cut short his season, limiting him to 38 appearances before surgery in April 2026 ended his regular season.
Both teams cleared roster spots for the new season; no further move involving either player is stated.
The Los Angeles Lakers waived Dalton Knecht, and the Milwaukee Bucks released Kevin Porter Jr. ahead of the NBA season.
The moves cleared roster spots as both teams finalized their squads.
Knecht, the No. 17 pick in the 2024 draft, averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds as a rookie.
Porter averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.2 steals last season, but injuries limited him to 38 appearances.
- Who
- The Los Angeles Lakers waived Dalton Knecht, and the Milwaukee Bucks released Kevin Porter Jr.
- What
- Both teams cleared roster spots ahead of the NBA season.
- When
- October 19, 2026, according to the article publication dates.
- Where
- Los Angeles and Milwaukee.
- Why
- The teams were finalizing their squads ahead of the upcoming season.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Porter joined the Bucks from the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Lakers agreed to send Knecht to Charlotte in a trade for Mark Williams, but the deal was rescinded after Williams failed his physical.
Porter underwent right knee surgery, ending his regular season early.
The Lakers waived Knecht and the Bucks released Porter ahead of the NBA season.
- Lakers player waived
- Dalton Knecht
- Bucks player released
- Kevin Porter Jr.
- Knecht's draft position
- No. 17 in the 2024 draft
- Knecht's rookie averages
- 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds
- Porter's appearances last season
- 38
- Porter's last-season averages
- 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.2 steals
3 sources
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The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving 2024 No. 17 pick Dalton Knecht, sources tell ESPN.
JJ Redick on Dalton Knecht and what has changed since his rookie season: “I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got