The Los Angeles Lakers have released Rafael Castro and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, finalizing their roster ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season opener. The team announced the waivers following their final preseason game, a 106-121 loss to the Denver Nuggets on October 16.
After their preseason finale, the Lakers cut two players from their training camp roster. The team waived forwards Rafael Castro and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones. This brings the roster closer to the NBA's regular-season limit. Both players were on Exhibit 10 contracts, which allows the Lakers to maintain their G League rights and offer a bonus if they join the affiliate team in Coachella Valley.
The moves are a standard procedural step. Teams often make final cuts to avoid per-day salary cap penalties as the season approaches. For Castro and Tait-Jones, it ends their brief stint with the Lakers' preseason squad. They participated in camp and preseason games, including the 89-101 loss to Golden State on October 13 and a 114-110 win over Sacramento on October 8.
The roster news sparked immediate reaction on social media. Some fans expressed disappointment, particularly about Castro's release. One user argued the Lakers should have given Castro a two-way contract instead of another player, citing concerns about the team's center depth. Another fan lamented that Castro didn't get enough playing time with stars like Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves to prove his value.
Other comments were more critical of the front office. One fan suggested the team's general manager, Rob Pelinka, should be fired. Another simply posted "Announce Dalton," possibly referencing other roster speculation. A more analytical fan pointed out the financial and roster management reasons behind the waivers, noting the Exhibit 10 benefits for the Lakers' G League pipeline.
All focus now shifts to the regular season. The Lakers open their 2026-27 campaign at home against the Golden State Warriors on October 21. It's a high-profile rematch of their preseason meetings, where the teams split results; the Warriors won 124-98 on October 6 before the Lakers' 114-110 victory over Sacramento the next day.
The Lakers enter this season with a reshaped roster following a second-round playoff exit. They were swept in four games by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2026 postseason. Preseason results were a mixed bag, featuring wins over the Kings (127-103 on Oct. 5 and 114-110 on Oct. 8) and losses to the Warriors and Nuggets. The team has a couple more practices to prepare for the Warriors and the long NBA grind ahead.
