Lakers Must Cut One Player From 16-Man Roster, Bulls Could Become Trade Partner

The Los Angeles Lakers face an arithmetic problem before the new season: they have 16 players on the roster, but only 15 can remain on opening night of the regular season. This means general manager Rob Pelinka must move at least one player, and the Chicago Bulls could become the trade partner helping them reduce the roster.

The Bulls have one roster spot left, and LaRavia's contract fits perfectly

According to Morris Bankston of Pippen Ain’t Easy, Jake LaRavia could become the final addition to the Bulls' roster. The Bulls are currently $2 million below the NBA salary cap of $165 million and still have a $9.4 million room mid-level exception available. LaRavia's $6 million contract fits into the Bulls' final roster spot exactly.

Bankston further pointed out that if the Bulls want to quickly fill the 15th roster spot, the Lakers remain a possible trade partner late in the 2026 offseason. Conversely, the Lakers also have reason to approach the Bulls, because their 16-man roster must be reduced to 15 players before the start of the 2026-27 season.

It is not only LaRavia; Knecht has also entered trade discussions

NBA reporter Jake Weinbach mentioned that if the Lakers want to acquire the Bulls' Jalen Smith, a trade proposal could include LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, and second-round draft compensation. Smith has been listed as a potential target for the Lakers, but whether the Bulls are willing to move the big man remains unknown.

More than one name was mentioned during the summer

Throughout the summer, Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Bronny James were all mentioned as possible players who could leave. At the same time, the Lakers have made it clear they still need a starting wing and a backup center. To complete those additions, they would need to send out multiple players.

If the Bulls are willing to take on a player now, Pelinka's pressure may be reduced somewhat. However, the questions are how much the Lakers are willing to give up to create roster space and whether the Bulls would actually move Smith. Whether this potential trade can be completed before opening night remains uncertain.