With the start of the NBA season comes the annual gutting of rosters to meet the 15-player standard contract limit.
Notable waived players are LA Lakers' 2024 first-round pick, Dalton Knecht, Milwaukee Bucks' 2019 first-round pick, Kevin Porter Jr, and 2025 first and second-round picks from the Grizzlies, Walter Clayton Jr. and Micah Peavy.
Los Angeles Lakers waive Dalton Knecht
Dalton Knecht of the Los Angeles Lakers is one of the most recent draftees to be waived, with the Lakers letting him go on Monday evening after he was their first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Knecht started his rookie season with the Lakers with great momentum, averaging 18.9 points per game through to December, however, into the second half of the season, his shooting percentages dropped despite maintaining his playing minutes.
In February 2025, he was set to be traded to the Charlotte Hornets alongside fellow forward Cam Reddish, in a package also containing the 2031 first-round pick and 2030 pick swap in exchange for their center Mark Williams.
The trade eventually fell through following Williams' failed physical exam, which saw Knecht and Reddish return to the Lakers.
The failed trade seemed to impact Knecht's continued performance with the Lakers. With the team prepared to lose him, his playing time shrank dramatically - a trend which continued throughout his second season with the franchise.
Knecht's 2026-27 pre-season performances for the Lakers were mostly underwhelming.
The Lakers' head coach, JJ Redick spoke following their final pre-season game.
JJ Redick on Dalton Knecht and what has changed since his rookie season:
“I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he’s gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got…
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) October 17, 2026
“I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. Needs changed, the fit changed. I think he's gotten better as a player the last two years. I think, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the injuries we had. I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings and he's in a tough spot right now.”
Milwaukee Bucks waive Kevin Porter Jr.
Kevin Porter Jr. is another recognised name to be waived, the Milwaukee Bucks unexpectedly clearing him from the roster ahead of the season tip-off.
Porter Jr. played extremely well for the Bucks over the past 18 months. Starting mid-season in 2024–25, his performances saw him promoted to a full-time starter in 2025–26, starting in 36 of the 38 regular-season games he played that year.
His season ended early after undergoing knee surgery in April - the effects of which are still lingering - his recovery notably affecting his pre-season performances, and having him buried below Ryan Rollins on the Bucks depth chart.
Memphis Grizzlies waive Walter Clayton Jr. and Micah Peavy
Walter Clayton Jr.
Walter Clayton Jr. was the Washington Wizard's first-round pick in 2024, however he never played for the team, instead, traded to the Utah Jazz and then the Memphis Grizzles - playing a total of 69 games during his rookie season across the two franchises.
Averaging 25.0 minutes per game for the Grizzlies last season, a knee injury for Clayton Jr. saw him miss the entirety of the NBA Summer League.
Rehabilitation saw him participating with no restrictions in the Grizzlies' training camp.
In the NBA preseason, he averaged just 11.7 minutes per game compared to Ty Jerome's 17.5 minutes, with Jerome claiming the roster spot.
Micah Peavy
In the 2025–26 season, Micah Peavy consistently showed up for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 15 minutes as a backup across a total of 61 games.
Peavy was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in early September, and - despite his growing potential - failed to appear in any pre-season games for the Grizzlies following an ankle injury in late-September.
All eyes on the Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings just lost NBA All-Star Ben Simmons to a brutal Achilles tendon injury, and is expected to be out for the rest of the season. The Kings have one open spot on their roster and are lacking in defensive players.
Clayton Jr. and Porter Jr. are potential standout options for the West Coast team.
Other players waived before opening night include:
- Dwight Powell, former Mavericks center
- Koby Brea, former Phoenix Suns guard
- CJ Huntley, former Phoenix Suns forward
- Adam Flagler, former Sacramento Kings guard
- Sean Pedulla, former Houston Rockets guard
A full list of NBA transactions made before this weekend can be found on nba.com.
