Image Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Lakers Eye Roster Trim For Cap Relief, Explore Consolidation Trade With Knecht, Kleber In Mix

Front office eyes next strategic step

Image Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

The Lakers are quite active in the off season market, trying to make every possible move to strengthen their roster. They recently signed Marcus Smart after his contract was waived by the Washington Wizards earlier this offseason.

However, the situation remains complex as the Lakers are struggling with cap space. They waived Shake Milton, but that was only the first step in clearing room for Marcus Smart. Milton moved to the Lakers in December from the Brooklyn Nets.

A $3 million salary is cleared from the books for the NBA 2025-26 season. And now the LAL are looking to make a consolidated trade. They are still sitting roughly $1.2 million over the BAE threshold and see a consolidated trade as the only option to further strengthen the roster.

The Lakers are reportedly working on a ‘consolidation trade’ that would include Dalton Knecht and Maxi Kleber according to Anthony Irwin 👀

“The Lakers can not sign Marcus Smart to the BAE even after waiving Shake Milton… another move is coming.”

Knecht averaged 9.8ppg on… pic.twitter.com/hWQBCyZQMf
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) July 20, 2025

The Bi-Annual Exception (BAE) lets teams under the second tax apron sign a player for up to $11 million, spread across two years, similar to the full MLE. The Lakers targeted Smart for a 2-year, $11 million deal, but they remain $1.2 million above the threshold for using the BAE.

Veteran Plus Rookie May Exit Lakers Soon

According to Anthony Irwin, the Lakers’ front office is looking to include Dalton Knecht and Maxi Kleber in a consolidation trade. Knecht is now seen as surplus, given the Lakers’ depth at the wing position after multiple recent additions. Austin Reaves, Bronny James, Gabe Vincent, and now Marcus Smart are ahead of him in the pecking order.

The new Marcus Smart signing further limits any game time for the youngster. He averaged 9.1 points per game in the 2024-25 season. While Maxi Kleber has an expiring contract as he enters his final year with the Los Angeles Lakers.

That makes him purely a cap filler in the Lakers’ ongoing trade discussions. The veteran big averaged 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds during last season. The teams that are chasing playoff seeding often cover expiring deals to open room for free-agent targets.