The Los Angeles Lakers have encountered resistance in their pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims, while their search for a Dalton Knecht trade has also included conversations with the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz.
Brett Siegel reported Saturday that Milwaukee had not shown much willingness to make a Sims deal with Los Angeles for a package involving one second-round selection.
I’m told the Lakers had approached the Bucks about a deal where they’d land Jericho Sims, but the Bucks had not been all that receptive to such a move with LA for just a single second-round pick.
Lakers are also still seeing if they can do a 2-for-1 trade to add another center. https://t.co/YxrVUaxziV
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) October 17, 2026
The Lakers are also investigating whether they can acquire a center in a transaction that sends out two players and brings back one.
His update adds a specific obstacle to the Lakers’ efforts to reshape their roster. It does not establish that Milwaukee has demanded two picks or that either team has ended discussions.
Lakers have contacted Bulls and Jazz about Dalton Knecht
In a separate report Saturday morning, Siegel identified Milwaukee, Chicago and Utah among the teams Los Angeles has contacted as it tries to find a trade for Knecht rather than release him.
The Lakers have continued making recent trade calls in attempts to move Dalton Knecht instead of outright waiving him, with LA having communication with the Bucks, Bulls, and Jazz, among others, sources told @ClutchPoints.
It’s become clear Knecht’s future isn’t with the Lakers. https://t.co/MgwowOfeNq
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) October 17, 2026
That provides a more detailed picture than the earlier report that the Lakers were exploring a Knecht trade ahead of the season. At that point, the potential destinations and return had not been identified.
The latest reporting names Sims as a player the Lakers have pursued. It does not name a proposed return from the Bulls or Jazz, identify a second outgoing Lakers player or establish that Chicago and Utah want to acquire Knecht.
Siegel was also cautious about the likelihood of an agreement. He said Los Angeles had been trying to move Knecht for months and offered his own assessment of how the situation could end.
“I would personally lean in the direction of no trade happening,” Siegel wrote.
That was his prediction, rather than a report that the Lakers have decided to waive Knecht.
Why the structure of a Lakers trade matters
The possibility of a two-for-one deal has been part of the Lakers’ roster planning since before preseason.
During his Sept. 24 media availability, Rob Pelinka discussed having 16 players for 15 opening-night roster spots and raised consolidation trades as an option.
Rob Pelinka addresses currently having 16 players on the roster, but only being allowed to carry to 15 come opening night. He said that this could create more competition in camp and the team can still pursue 2-for-1 "consolidation" trades in the meantime
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 24, 2026
Sending out two players for one would reduce that total while allowing Los Angeles to bring someone back. A straight exchange of Knecht for Sims would not, by itself, eliminate a roster spot.
That distinction separates the Lakers’ reported interest in a particular center from the additional work needed to settle their roster. Siegel’s posts do not provide a complete trade framework.
Los Angeles did make two cuts Saturday, waiving Rafael Castro and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones.
Those moves are confirmed. Knecht’s departure is not.
For now, the latest reporting identifies three teams the Lakers have contacted, a center they have pursued and Milwaukee’s reluctance over the draft compensation described.
Whether those conversations produce a deal remains unresolved.
