Lakers pick up 2026-27 option on Dalton Knecht

The Lakers are keeping Dalton Knecht in their long-term plans, picking up his $4.2 million team option for the 2026-27 season, per Keith Smith of Spotrac.

The decision locks in the third year of Knecht’s rookie-scale deal and gives the Lakers another season to evaluate the 24-year-old forward before facing a bigger call next October — whether to guarantee his $6.45 million option for 2027-28.

If that one’s exercised, Knecht would become extension-eligible in 2027 with restricted free agency possible a year later.

A first-round pick in 2024 (No. 17 overall), Knecht had a strong start as a rookie last season, averaging 12.2 points and hitting 43.9% from deep over his first 19 games.

But production tailed off down the stretch, as he averaged 8.1 points on 34.8% from three while trying to adjust defensively.

His struggles carried into the summer — he shot under 33% overall in both Summer League and preseason — but the Lakers remain confident in his long-term upside as a floor-spacer and scorer.

For the record, Knecht is the only Laker with a rookie-scale team option for ’26-27.