Lakers Exercise 2026-27 Team Option on Dalton Knecht
lakers-exercise-2026-27-team-option-on-dalton-knecht
The Los Angeles Lakers have picked up forward Dalton Knecht’s $4.2 million team option for the 2026-27 season, securing the third year of his rookie-scale contract, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac.
The move keeps the 24-year-old under contract for at least two more seasons and postpones a larger decision until next October, when the franchise must determine whether to guarantee his $6.45 million option for 2027-28. Exercising that fourth-year option would make Knecht extension-eligible in 2027 and position him for restricted free agency the following summer.
Selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Knecht opened his rookie campaign by averaging 12.2 points on 43.9 percent shooting from three-point range over his first 19 contests. His production dipped late in the year to 8.1 points per game on 34.8 percent from deep while he adjusted to NBA defensive assignments.
The shooting slump continued during Summer League and preseason action, where he connected on less than 33 percent of his field-goal attempts. Despite those struggles, the Lakers view him as a long-term floor-spacing threat and scorer.
Knecht is the only player on the Lakers’ roster with a rookie-scale team option for the 2026-27 season.
Source: Hoops Wire
