By now, just about everyone should know the Los Angeles Lakers are over the roster limit at 16 players. The thing that is not known just yet would be how Rob Pelinka plans to get that number down to 15 before opening night.
The Lakers still have a lot of time to figure things out and exhaust all their options regarding the matter. Eventually, this will become an issue that does need to get settled. Ahead of that, there are three clear options to explore for Los Angeles to get themselves ready for the 2026-27 season.
3 — Waive-and-stretch Jarred Vanderbilt's contract
Jarred Vanderbilt has two years and roughly $25.7 million left on his current contract. It is easily the worst deal on the Lakers' cap books. Los Angeles could get to 15 players with a waive-and-stretch of that remaining money.
The main reason why this would not be at the top of the list is Vanderbilt's money would continue to linger for an extended period as a part of the books. That is not unbearable, but it is also not ideal for a franchise that wants to use free agency as a vehicle to improve their team.
In the grand scheme of things, the Lakers may actually be better off trying to offload Vanderbilt as an expiring contract next offseason. That would come with less negative penalties to the franchise. However, if they must pull the trigger now, for a lack of better alternatives, they can.
2 — Trade or release Dalton Knecht
When looking up and down the Lakers roster, Dalton Knecht is an easy conclusion as to who the 16th player is in the pecking order. That makes him a prime candidate to leave the team via trade or an outright release.
Releasing Knecht would only put dead money on the Lakers' cap books for the 2026-27 season. That is a fate they should be able to stomach.
Ideally, though, the Lakers should hope there is a team out there willing to spend even a small ounce of draft capital to take on Knecht. Recouping a second-round pick or two for the former first-round pick would be a solid way for Los Angeles to move forward.
1 — Finding a two-for-one consolidation trade
Ultimately, nothing would serve the Lakers better than finding a workable two-for-one deal that naturally trims their roster and gets them an upgrade. That would complete the team to perfection.
Whether it is working out a sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga, prying P.J. Washington away from the Dallas Mavericks, or kicking the tires on a less glamorous route like reviving Kyle Kuzma's career, the options are there. It is just a matter of getting one of them done.
This would easily be the Lakers' best option, because it strengthens the team rather than punting on the decision by just dumping a guy. It is easier said than done to get this type of move finalized, but Pelinka has enjoyed an audacious offseason. What is one more transaction to the bunch?
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