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How Bronny James became the last survivor of Lakers' 2024 draft class -- and why that's not a good thing

The Los Angeles Lakers' 2024 draft class has become a cautionary tale, with only Bronny James remaining on the roster after the team cut ties with Dalton Knecht. Knecht, the No.

17 pick and a former SEC Player of the Year, failed to deliver on early expectations, showing limited impact despite his polished skill set. The Lakers attempted to trade him to the Charlotte Hornets but abandoned the deal after Knecht failed a physical, further derailing his confidence and development.

Meanwhile, Bronny James, a late-second-round selection, has also struggled, shooting poorly in preseason play and failing to justify his roster spot—yet he survived the roster cuts while Knecht was waived. The draft class, now reduced to just James, reflects a significant miscalculation for Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, especially as LeBron James’ presence on the Sixers may have influenced Bronny’s retention.

Neither player has yet developed into an NBA-caliber contributor, leaving the team with little return on its draft investments.

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