The LA Lakers have signed a new center to their team as they look to pad out their roster heading into the 2025-26 NBA season.
One of the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest needs that they needed to address this offseason was at the center position.
After trading Anthony Davis to land Luka Doncic, the Lakers effectively gave up their last decent center option and were forced to start Jaxson Hayes in the role.
This resulted in the Lakers struggling and being bounced out in the playoffs. As a result, they decided to address this in the offseason, signing Deandre Ayton to the Lakers.
And now, the Lakers have added another center to their roster, as he fights for a full-time contract in the preseason.
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty ImagesLA Lakers sign Kylor Kelley to Exhibit-10 contract
The Lakers announced the signing of Kylor Kelley to an Exhibit-10 (training camp) contract. Kelley was with the South Bay Lakers in the G-League last season.
On top of that, he had very brief stints with the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks, where he got limited but crucial NBA playing time.
Kelley tried to enter the NBA in the 2020 Draft, but went undrafted. After a brief stint with the San Antonio Spurs’ G-League affiliate, he went on to play professionally in the UK, Denmark, and Canada.
Kelley would get G-League opportunities with NBA teams, but rarely did it translate to success. However, last season, he did well with the South Bay Lakers and earned some valuable NBA minutes as well.
In the G-League, Kelley averaged 11.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks last season. He will be hoping to earn a two-way contract with the Lakers this season.
LA Lakers need Deandre Ayton to deliver at a high level
One of the big reasons the LA Lakers didn’t sign any other center other than Deandre Ayton this season is because they had no other decent options.
The Lakers had eyes on Clint Capela, Walker Kessler, and Brook Lopez. But the Jazz refused to trade Kessler, while Lopez and Capela chose to sign with other teams.
This is why there is even more pressure on Deandre Ayton than before. He has to be absolutely solid as the Lakers’ starting center next season.
While he doesn’t need to put up All-Star numbers, he does need to provide solid defense, rim protection, and perimeter scoring to help the Lakers compete in a difficult Western Conference.