Los Angeles Lakers News

WESTERN PACIFIC

Dalton Knecht • SG • Lakers

Lakers Dangling Dalton Knecht for Possible Trade

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Dalton Knecht may finally get the change of scenery his fantasy value needs, with the Lakers reportedly shopping him and Jarred Vanderbilt as they explore ways to create room for a possible Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade. Knecht, the No. 17 pick in 2024, saw his development stall on a star-heavy roster, sliding from a promising 9.1 points and 1.6 threes per game as a rookie to just 4.2 points on 34.2 percent shooting from deep last season. The fantasy nuance is that Knecht can score, unlike a pure defensive specialist, and a move to a team needing shooting could revive deep-league value. On the Lakers, he remains buried and off the radar, but a trade would make him worth another look as a situational streamer.

7 days ago

Jarred Vanderbilt • SF • Lakers

Lakers Shopping Jarred Vanderbilt

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt is being shopped as a salary-matching piece, with the Lakers looking for a third team to absorb his and Dalton Knecht's contracts to unlock a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade, per Evan Sidery. Vanderbilt is owed $12.4 million next season and holds a $13.3 million player option for 2027-28, making him difficult to route directly to Atlanta in a Kuminga framework. For fantasy, the takeaway is bleak either way. Vanderbilt is an elite defender but an offensive non-factor, averaging 4.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 steals on 29.3 percent three-point shooting last season, and durability has long been a concern. He holds no standard-league value. A move to a rebuilder could give him minutes and deep-league steals-and-boards utility, but on the Lakers, he remains a specialist off the fantasy radar.

7 days ago

Matisse Thybulle • SG • Lakers

Matisse Thybulle Signs a One-Year Deal With the Lakers

The Lakers have signed free agent guard/forward Matisse Thybulle to a one-year, $3.3 million deal, per Shams Charania of ESPN, adding perimeter defense next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Thybulle averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in 16.0 minutes across 30 games with Portland last season while shooting 39.8 percent from deep. His fantasy case is narrow but specific: a two-time All-Defensive wing who ranks among the league's steals leaders and now spaces the floor at a respectable clip. Standard league managers can pass given the low scoring and modest minutes, but deep leaguers chasing steals and threes can stream him if the role holds. He appeared in just 45 games over his last two Portland seasons, though, a durability flag on top of a low-minute role behind a crowded Lakers wing group.

Jul 20

Cameron Carr • SG • Lakers

Cameron Carr Goes Cold in Lakers' Semifinal Loss

Los Angeles Lakers guard Cameron Carr managed 17 points on 5-for-16 shooting in Saturday's 92-88 Summer League semifinal loss to the Warriors, adding three rebounds and one assist over 28 minutes. He never found his range from outside, missing seven of his eight three-point tries as the Lakers' unbeaten Vegas run ended. The rookie had been one of the event's more productive scorers, dropping 23 against the Clippers, so the cold night stands out as an exception. The No. 24 pick out of Baylor showed real scoring flashes, but his shot selection and ball handling remain works in progress. On a crowded Lakers backcourt led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, Carr projects as a developmental piece rather than an immediate rotation option.

Jul 19

Chris Mañon • PG • Lakers

Chris Manon Stays Hot in Lakers' Summer League Rout

Los Angeles Lakers guard Chris Manon tallied 16 points on 5-for-7 shooting in Thursday's 105-82 Summer League win over the Bulls, chipping in six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block over 19 minutes. The 24-year-old joined starters Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero in double figures as the Lakers stayed unbeaten in Las Vegas and clinched a spot in the tournament's playoff stage. Manon re-signed a two-way deal with Los Angeles earlier this month after logging just 46 minutes across nine NBA appearances as a rookie. His jumper has come around this summer, which had been the knock on a defense-first guard. The harder question is whether he can crack a contender's rotation, and that answer likely starts in South Bay.

Jul 17

Cameron Carr • SG • Lakers

Cameron Carr Notches 14 Points on Thursday

Los Angeles Lakers guard Cameron Carr has put together some quality outings during the Summer League. That continued on Thursday when Carr finished with 14 points, three rebounds, and one steal in the win over the Chicago Bulls. Carr was outplayed offensively by Caleb Wilson, but Carr was more effective overall. Wilson committed eight turnovers during this game, while Carr had zero over his 22 minutes of action. The 24th overall pick from this year's draft looks like he's ready to play consistent minutes in the Lakers' rotation. The offense is run through Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. We'll see what kind of role Carr ends up with at the beginning of the season.

Jul 16

Cameron Carr • SG • Lakers

Cameron Carr Notches 23 Points in Lakers' Win Over the Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Cameron Carr notched 23 points on 8-for-18 shooting with three triples, adding two assists, one rebound, and one block in 29 minutes during Tuesday's 99-85 Las Vegas Summer League win over the Clippers. The No. 24 pick has been the story of Los Angeles' summer, and he closed this one with eight straight points to break the game open. He's playing through a right thumb contusion that cost him a game against Dallas last week. The one rebound in 29 minutes is the tell. Carr is a pure scorer right now, and on a Lakers team that runs its offense through Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, a rookie wing earns minutes by defending and rebounding, not by getting shots. The scoring alone won't put him on the floor.

Jul 15

Ziaire Williams • SF • Lakers

Ziaire Williams Lands With Lakers on One-Year Deal

Free-agent forward Ziaire Williams has agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The 24-year-old spent last season with Brooklyn, averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals in 22.9 minutes while shooting 42.5% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range. Williams gives Los Angeles another long wing, but his fantasy case is thin unless the shooting improvement sticks and he earns enough bench minutes to keep the steals coming.

Jul 13

Adou Thiero • SG • Lakers

Adou Thiero Leads Lakers With 20 Points Against Thunder

Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero finished with 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks across 30 minutes in Friday's 96-84 Summer League win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The second-year wing returned to the lineup after missing Monday's California Classic finale and gave Los Angeles a strong two-way performance. Thiero shot 8-for-14 from the field but missed all five three-point attempts and went 2-for-5 at the line. Thiero's steals, blocks, and rim pressure give him a strong Summer League foundation, but his jumper still needs to catch up before his role can grow.

Jul 11

Kevon Looney • C • Lakers

Kevon Looney Joins Lakers on One-Year, $3.9 Million Deal

Free-agent center Kevon Looney agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 30-year-old spent last season with New Orleans, averaging 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 21 games after 10 seasons with Golden State. Looney is expected to back up Walker Kessler, which limits his fantasy ceiling unless Kessler misses time. He can help the Lakers with rebounding, screening, and interior defense, but his low-usage role makes him more of a situational big than a steady fantasy option.

Jul 7

Chris Mañon • PG • Lakers

Chris Manon Delivers 24 Points and Full Stat Line in Lakers Win

Los Angeles Lakers guard Chris Manon supplied 24 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and two steals across 27 minutes in Monday's 88-84 California Classic win over the San Antonio Spurs. Manon stepped into the starting lineup with Adou Thiero (wrist) scratched and responded with the Lakers' best all-around line of the night. The 24-year-old is back on a two-way deal after earning G League All-Defensive Team honors last season, so the defensive stats are the real fantasy hook. Manon still faces a tough climb toward regular-season relevance, but his defensive activity gives him a useful Summer League calling card.

Jul 7

AK Okereke • SF • Lakers

AK Okereke Lands a Two-Way Deal With the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have made official their two-way signing of undrafted forward AK Okereke, Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation reports, filling the last of their three two-way slots. Okereke is a 6-7 floor-spacer who spent his final college season as a graduate transfer at Vanderbilt, averaging 9.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 40.0 percent from three. The stroke is real, but the fantasy path isn't. Okereke is an undrafted rookie on a two-way contract, which caps his active games, and he's buried on a win-now roster built around Luka Doncic. Expect most of his season to come with the South Bay Lakers.

Jul 6

Adou Thiero • SG • Lakers

Adou Thiero Stuffs the Box Score in Sunday's California Classic Victory

Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero delivered a strong all-around performance Sunday in the California Classic Summer League. He finished with 13 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists across 28 minutes during a 93-91 double-overtime win over the Miami Heat. The second-year forward made an impact with his activity on both ends, but his shooting remains a concern after he went 3-for-9 from the field, 0-for-2 from three-point range, and 4-for-7 at the line. Thiero's defense and downhill scoring are useful, but he needs a more reliable jumper to carve out steady fantasy value on a veteran-heavy Lakers roster.

Jul 6

Cameron Carr • SG • Lakers

Cameron Carr Impresses with 26-Point Outing

Los Angeles Lakers guard Cameron Carr came ready to play during Sunday's Summer League matchup against the Miami Heat. Carr was all over the place as he finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, and connected on four three-pointers during the overtime victory. The Lakers selected Carr in the first-round out of Baylor this year. The 21-year-old has looked impressive early in camp, but there's still a lot of time between now and the beginning of the regular season. Clearly, the Lakers believe in Carr, which is why they selected him in the first round. He might struggle to get consistent minutes right away, but he could force his way into the conversation if he keeps playing like this.

Jul 5

Jaden Hardy • SG • Lakers

Jaden Hardy Heading to the Lakers

Washington Wizards guard Jaden Hardy was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, according to Shams Charania. The Wizards have traded Hardy and two second-round picks in exchange for center Deandre Ayton. The big man became expendable for the Lakers after they acquired Walker Kessler. Ayton figures to serve as the primary backup center to Alexandre Sarr. As for Hardy, he'll likely be a rotational piece for the Lakers. In 23 games with Washington, Hardy averaged 12.6 points, 1.3 assists, and 1.7 rebounds across 20.4 minutes per game. The 23-year-old has some scoring upside, but is unlikely to be a big part of the Lakers rotation.

Jul 3

Walker Kessler • C • Lakers

Lakers Acquire Walker Kessler in Sign-And-Trade With Utah

The Los Angeles Lakers have sent multiple draft picks to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade deal for center Walker Kessler, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Lakers are subsequently giving the 24-year-old a four-year, $130 million contract with a fourth-season player option. Los Angeles was linked to multiple centers this offseason as they searched for a rim-runner to pair with Luka Doncic. Kessler's 2025-26 season was cut short after just five games, but he continued his run of averaging a double-double that dated back to the 2024-25 season. During that campaign, he led the league with 4.6 offensive rebounds per game. Kessler has also averaged 2.4 blocks per game across his four seasons. In return, the Jazz are receiving unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030.

Jul 1

Walker Kessler • C • Lakers

Walker Kessler Draws Multiple Offers in Restricted Free Agency

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has met with multiple teams and holds several offers in the mid-to-high $30 million range annually, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic. Utah issued Kessler a qualifying offer, so the Jazz can still match any offer sheet. The 24-year-old was limited to five games last season after left shoulder surgery, but he averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.4 steals while shooting 70.3% from the field. If healthy, Kessler remains a strong fantasy target for blocks, boards, and elite efficiency wherever he lands.

Jun 30

Deandre Ayton • C • Lakers

Deandre Ayton Opts Into Another Season With the Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton opted into his $8.1 million player option with the franchise, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The market for Ayton's services seemingly dried up, making it an easy choice for the former first-overall pick to stay in Los Angeles. While the seven-footer shot a career-best 67.1% last season, he also averaged a career low in points (12.5), rebounds (8), and minutes (27.2). Playing alongside Luka Doncic did raise his efficiency, but his inconsistent defense and effort led to shorter stints on the floor. The Lakers have plenty of roster question marks as free agency begins, and could utilize Ayton's expiring contract in a trade before he becomes a free agent next offseason.

Jun 29

Austin Reaves • SG • Lakers

Austin Reaves Signs Four-Year Deal with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves intends to sign a long-term extension with the organization. According to Shams Charania, Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million deal, which includes a player option for the final year of the contract. Reaves recently declined a $14.9 million player option to get a long-term deal in free agency. The Lakers stated ahead of this deal that bringing back Reaves was a priority for them. He now lands the largest deal for an undrafted player in NBA history. Reaves is well deserving of a long-term contract after the numbers he has posted over the last few seasons. Reaves averaged 23.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 34.5 minutes per game in 51 contests this past season. He figures to remain a focal point in this offense moving forward.

Jun 24

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Wants Lakers to Add High-Level Center

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic has made his preference clear for the franchise to add an A-list center, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren have been mentioned as restricted free-agent targets the Lakers have done due diligence on, while Los Angeles is expected to evaluate other trade and free-agent options. Kessler would give the Lakers a shot-blocking, low-usage finisher, while Duren would bring more scoring, rebounding, and physical roll-man production. Either move would clean up Doncic's playmaking environment, but the bigger fantasy swing may come for whichever center lands next to one of the league's best passers.

Jun 19

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