New NBA Trade Rumors on Cavs' Evan Mobley, Lakers' Knecht, Knicks' Kolek amid Roster Deadline

The start of the 2026-27 NBA season is just over 24 hours away, and trade rumors are already starting to swirl.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that Cleveland Cavaliers star forward Evan Mobley is expected to be safe after the team chose not to include him in offers for stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown earlier this offseason.

"The front office still deeply believes in Mobley in the wake of a bit of a disappointing season," Windhorst stated.

The Cavs instead opted to acquire Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets, which "caused them to make a series of expensive trades and salary shedding moves" because they "believe Watson is on the verge of a breakout after he showed flashes in Denver last season," Windhorst explained.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly shopping 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht ahead of Monday's deadline to cut down their roster from 16 guaranteed contracts to 15.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the team "spent the weekend trying to find a workable trade" for the 25-year-old that would "maybe even bring back a big man — such as Milwaukee's Jericho Sims." However, Stein added, "If no trade can be found, they'll have to waive Knecht (or someone else) by the cut-down buzzer."

Stein also revealed that 2024 second-round pick Tyler Kolek isn't in jeopardy with the New York Knicks, as they "did not shop [him] to try to make roster room for Bruce Brown before Brown's release Saturday." The Knicks would only have considered moving Kolek before Tuesday's season opener "if the deal brought a coveted center to New York."

The defending champion Knicks will officially tip off the 2026-27 season on Tuesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.