Bringing in Matisse Thybulle on a one-year, veteran minimum was a deal that immediately signaled additional moves to come. The Los Angeles Lakers now have 16 players on a roster that needs to be at 15 when the 2026-27 season starts. One way or another, something else is due.
There are several ways for the Lakers to accomplish that goal. They could explore consolidation trades, or even find a team with an open roster spot to just absorb one of their players. Los Angeles also does have the option of just flat-out waiving one of their players.
Three guys are already undeniably sticking out as viable options for the Lakers to trim their roster. The names in question should not really be a surprise to anyone, either.
Jarred Vanderbilt's expensive deal makes him expendable in Los Angeles
The topic of just how badly Jarred Vanderbilt's contract sticks out as undesirable after the flurry of moves made during this offseason has been talked about a ton. It continues to hold relevance after Thybulle's arrival.
Trading Vanderbilt gives the Lakers a way to make the most of his $12.4 million salary for 2026-27. Los Angeles could use it as a major vehicle for salary-matching purposes, along with one other player and draft capital, to land a real upgrade for their rotation.
That would be much easier than trying to just attach picks to Vanderbilt for the sake of another team absorbing the deal outright for no players going back in the other direction. Vando's price tag is a hefty one to take on without a good amount of incentive.
If the Lakers cannot find a trade partner, they can take the road less traveled by simply waive-and-stretching the remaining salary on his contract. That would keep him on the cap books longer, but it would preserve the draft capital in Los Angeles.
Dalton Knecht has long stood out as overstaying his welcome in Los Angeles
The Lakers are far removed from Dalton Knecht being an impactful member of the bench in Los Angeles. That makes him easy to shake loose, if necessary.
Knecht could find himself in a consolidation trade. His $4.2 million cap hit is an excellent vehicle to help increase the outgoing salary the Lakers can deliver in search of an upgrade.
Given the relatively small number on his rookie deal, though, the Lakers could just as easily just move him by himself, too. If there is still a team who believes they can turn Knecht's young career around, a second-round pick or two would help Los Angeles get back to a 15-man roster.
Bronny James may be wondering what comes next in Los Angeles
Bronny James has more than made his case to be separated from LeBron James. Despite that, there are those still out there who believe his future will be tied to his father when the time comes.
It would be one of the easier ways for the Lakers to shed one member of the roster. Any team attempting to lure LeBron can use Bronny as a leverage point. That would even give Los Angeles their own upper hand in the kind of trade return they can get for the young guard.
Bronny has earned a spot on next year's roster. However, the NBA is a business, and it could ultimately prove too beneficial for the Lakers to not sell high here.
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