The Los Angeles Lakers have finalized their roster ahead of the regular season, closing camp with a few tough calls and plenty of questions still unanswered. Head coach JJ Redick and his staff made four expected but still telling cuts, officially waiving RJ Davis, Augustas Mariulionis, Anton Watson, and Nate Williams.
Each of them was on an Exhibit 10 contract, designed as a path to the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G League affiliate. Davis flashed promise with 8.6 points per game during preseason, while Watson and Williams showed limited impact in brief minutes. The decisions leave Los Angeles with 14 standard contracts and three two-way players (Christian Koloko, Chris Manon, and Nick Smith Jr.) as Redick locks in his depth chart.
Knecht’s Struggles Become a Talking Point
Beyond the roster trimming, the spotlight has turned uncomfortably toward second-year guard Dalton Knecht. League scouts, according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, have expressed frustration with his slow development, specifically his decision-making on both ends.
Knecht’s numbers tell the story: 30.4 percent from the field, 22.6 percent from deep, and far too many lost possessions. For a 24-year-old selected 17th overall in 2024, it’s not just a bad stretch-it’s a potential stall in what was supposed to be a breakout second season. As Fadeaway World reported, one scout called Knecht’s progress “concerning,” questioning his feel for the game.
Those evaluations sting a little more given where the Lakers stand right now. With Luka Doncic leading the franchise’s title hopes, every roster spot matters. The front office was counting on Knecht to become either a solid rotation piece or a trade chip. Instead, his value appears to be slipping.
Doncic Delivers a Wake-Up Call
The preseason finale (a 117-116 loss to Sacramento) underscored the team’s biggest issues: rebounding and physicality. Doncic didn’t mince words afterward. “We start a little bit slow, not being physical,” he said post-game. “When we start being physical, that’s when we’re at our best.”
He also highlighted a rare bright spot: ball movement. With 28 assists and improved spacing, the offense finally looked like what Redick’s system is supposed to be. Doncic dropped 31 points, five rebounds, and nine assists in limited minutes, reminding everyone that he’s not just the Lakers’ star, he’s their problem-solver in real time.
Still, the record speaks loudly: one win in six preseason games. It’s not panic time yet, but it’s also not the tone a contending team wants before opening night against Golden State.
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