Lakers waive Knecht, Bucks cut Porter as NBA teams set opening rosters

Dalton Knecht, Kevin Porter Jr. and Walter Clayton Jr. were among the players waived Monday as NBA teams made their final roster decisions before the regular season.

The Lakers cut Knecht two years after selecting him 17th overall in the 2024 draft. Milwaukee released Porter after a season in which he led the Bucks in assists per game. Memphis waived Clayton and wing Micah Peavy to complete its opening roster.

Los Angeles needed to reduce its number of standard contracts to 15. Knecht had struggled to hold a place in coach JJ Redick's rotation after a promising start to his rookie season. NBC Sports reported that he averaged 4.2 points last season and shot 34.2 percent from three-point range.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Lakers' decision Monday:

Porter's exit came despite substantial production when healthy. The Associated Press reported that he averaged 17.4 points and 7.4 assists in 38 games last season. The Bucks have several younger guards competing for minutes, including rookie Brayden Burries and Kasparas Jakučionis, alongside Ryan Rollins and Tyler Herro.

Memphis waived Clayton after acquiring him from Utah in February, according to the team's announcement. The team said he averaged 7.8 points and four assists in 69 combined games for the Jazz and Grizzlies last season. He was the 18th selection in the 2025 draft and helped Florida win that year's national championship.

Peavy, acquired by Memphis from New Orleans in September, also leaves the roster. The Grizzlies open Wednesday against Utah. The Lakers host Golden State that night, while Milwaukee begins at Washington.