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Lakers Make Roster Decision Before NBA Season
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- Lakers Make Roster Decision Before NBA Season
The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into a new NBA season with one of the most talented rosters in the NBA, starring LeBron James and Luka Doncic .
James enters his 24th season in the NBA, while Doncic is preparing for his first full season with the Lakers. The NBA star was traded to Los Angeles midseason (2024-25) in a deal that involved Anthony Davis .
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As JJ Redick looks to help lead the Lakers in his second season as the head coach of the franchise, Los Angeles announced a roster decision ahead of opening night.
The Lakers are set to play their first game of the season on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors .
Before playing against Stephen Curry , Draymond Green and the rest of the squad run by Steve Kerr, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that they have picked up the 2026-27 scale team option for Dalton Knecht .
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NBA reporter Keith Smith explained that Knecht will be on the Lakers' payroll for $4.2 million next season.
Knecht is heading into his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers drafted him in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft. While he was set to make an immediate impact for JJ Redick, Knecht's rookie season was a rollercoaster for Los Angeles.
Knecht finished last season averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick.Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the 2025-26 NBA season with the fifth-best odds to win a championship (+1500), tied with the Houston Rockets .
Teams ranked ahead of the Lakers are the Oklahoma City Thunder , Cleveland Cavaliers , Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks , per ESPN BET .
Related: LeBron James Had No Words for Luka Doncic Announcement on Saturday
Related: Big Luka Doncic Announcement Turns Heads on Saturday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
