NBA Rumors: The 3 players who will not continue with the Los Angeles Lakers

After a rollercoaster season where Los Angeles Lakers pulled off the trade of the century (or, perhaps more accurately, it fell into their laps), only to crash out in the first round of the playoffs in just five games, they will need to make changes this offseason.

It remains to be seen if GM Rob Pelinka can make any significant moves. However, it's almost certain that some current players won't be returning for the 2025-26 Purple & Gold iteration. Let's take a look at three Lakers who won't be back next season.

Dalton Knecht

There were high hopes for the rookie after being selected in the first round of last year's NBA Draft, but despite a strong first half of the season, he was traded -temporarily- at the trade deadline, in exchange for Charlotte's center Mark Williams. We all know how it ended, as the Lakers voided the deal due to Williams' medical issues. Knecht was returned to Los Angeles but, aside from a two-week stretch in March, he wasn't the same.

Knecht was a complete afterthought in the playoffs, logging only four minutes in total across the five-game series loss. It's probably time to give him a fresh start elsewhere.

Maxi Kleber

Acquired in the deal with Luka Doncic, Kleber got injured and couldn't join the Lakers until the postseason. However, he was only utilized in one game, playing for five minutes. In the 34 games he played with Dallas before the trade, his production and impact were minimal.

Kleber, at 33, has one year left on his contract, worth 11 million dollars, and the once-solid big man would be better used as an expiring contract in a swap to bring in a bigger piece for the Lakers this summer.

Jaxson Hayes

The 7'0" player had a golden opportunity to showcase his worth as a center after Anthony Davis was traded. However, after a string of 25+ minute chances in March, his minutes (and the coaching staff's confidence) dwindled as the season wound down, and he was a non-factor in the playoffs, averaging just 7.5 minutes per game, not seeing a single second in the fifth game.

The Lakers desperately need to bring in a key man this summer, and Hayes, who is a free agent, likely won't be invited back.

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