The Los Angeles Lakers roster is going to look a whole lot different this coming season. Out went LeBron James, which means that Luka Doncic is officially stepping up as the leader of the NBA's most popular team. Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kennard, and Marcus Smart all departed, too.
Meanwhile, Walker Kessler was traded for, and Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, and Collin Sexton were signed in free agency. The team currently has 16 players under contract. That number will need to get down to 15 before the start of the 2026-27 season. Dalton Knecht has been rumored as the most likely candidate to leave the team. He was traded in 2025 for Mark Williams, only to be returned to Los Angeles when a failed physical caused the trade to be rescinded.
After a promising start to his career, Knecht has never quite recovered from that trade. However, he is still a recent first-round pick with multiple years left on his contract and a reliable 3-point shot, so there is a case to be made that the Lakers should instead trade/waive someone else. That has led to rumors that Bronny James could be moved.
Article Continues BelowView this post on Instagram
James' father is no longer in town, and other teams are intrigued by the development that Bronny has shown through his young career. Bet Online is giving +400 odds that James gets traded before the start of the season.
The guard entered the league as a controversial pick who many thought was drafted because of his last name. He has accepted a role as a connective piece and energetic defender, though, and he has drastically improved his game. With the season just around the corner, there is a chance that James will find himself playing for a new team soon.