​Los Angeles Lakers #9 Bronny James, son of LeBron James, and small forward #4 Dalton Knecht speak during a press confrence during the Lakers media day at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, September 30, 2024. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP via Getty Images) GettyLakers’ Dalton Knecht and Bronny James during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in January 2025 GettyPALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 04: Bronny James #9 and Dalton Knecht #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the second half of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Acrisure Arena on October 04, 2024 in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) GettyThe Los Angeles Lakers chose to waive Dalton Knecht before the start of the 2026-27 NBA season, subsequently keeping Bronny James on the roster.Knecht remained in free agency for a few days before signing a two-way deal with the New York Knicks. Neither player has necessarily been a consistent contributor for their respective teams, but after Knecht’s Knicks debut on Wednesday night, Lakers fans are making their voices heard about the team keeping the 2024 second-round pick over the first-round selection.James has played in five games for the Lakers so far, putting up a total of four points in 12 minutes. Meanwhile, Knecht dropped ten points and seven rebounds on 4/6 shooting in his first game for the Knicks, a sign, as many believe, that Los Angeles made the wrong decision on who should have been cut from the roster.Lakers Fans React To Decision To Keep Bronny James After Dalton Knecht Knicks DebutGettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 28: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to Dalton Knecht #4 during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
During Knecht’s standout showing in his first game for New York, Lakers fans across social media expressed frustration with the team picking James over him for the final roster spot this season.“This is NOT the same Dalton Knecht that the Lakers just waived,” notable account LakeShowYo wrote on X. “Did the Lakers make a mistake by choosing Bronny over him?”“Of course it’s a mistake. JJ doesn’t know how to manage, and (Knecht) was misused after the failed trade,” one fan said in response to the Lakers’ decision to keep James over Knecht.“He had 38 points in one game for the Lakers until he had to share with Bronny,” another fan said. “Can’t believe Lakers held him back all these years and picked Bronny over him,” one user wrote.Dalton Knecht in his Knicks debut 😳 Did the Lakers make a mistake by choosing Bronny over him? 🤔 (via @realapp) pic.twitter.com/I3Qx0pX27f— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) November 5, 2026“Reddick ruined him. Lakers actually kept Bronny James instead of Knecht. Pathetic.”“Wish Bronny could get a fresh start too,” another user said.“THE LAKERS WAIV