What happened: Dalton Knecht told The Athletic's Dan Woike that his confidence remains unchanged as the Los Angeles Lakers approach their final roster decisions. "I still go out there, I still think I am the best player and best shooter when I step out on the court," Knecht said.

Why it matters: Knecht is at the center of a Los Angeles Lakers roster crunch ahead of the 2026-27 season opener, with the franchise carrying excess guaranteed contracts and facing a one-man cut if a consolidation deal stalls. Los Angeles has held exploratory trade discussions ahead of Monday's roster cutoff as teams weigh consolidation moves against formal waivers.

What to watch: The Lakers must finalize their roster by Monday's cutdown deadline ahead of Tuesday's regular-season tipoff.