NBA market: Lakers sign former center from Mavs and Pelicans

The 2025/26 season of the NBA feels like a final for the Los Angeles Lakers. The purple and gold franchise is gearing up for what could likely be LeBron James' last year with the team. 'The King' will be out of contract, and it doesn't seem like he will renew. Because of this, JJ Redick's team will seek the title with a squad led by Luka Doncic, to which Kylor Kelley aims to permanently join.

The center has signed with the Lakers on a contract for the upcoming training camp. During the preseason NBA, Kylor Kelley will strive to secure a permanent spot on the Los Angeles Lakers roster, likely through a two-way contract.

Kelley, standing at 2.13 meters and weighing 104 kilograms, played 11 games in the NBA last season between the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks, averaging 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in just 11.5 minutes. His best performance came in his starting debut on February 2 in Cleveland when he recorded a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds, adding an assist and a block. That game served as a showcase for a player who, despite limited experience in the league, has shown flashes of his shot-blocking and rebounding capabilities.

This move must be seen within a larger plan. The Lakers had already secured the arrival of DeAndre Ayton in the early stages of Free Agency, aiming to address the evident deficiencies in the center position that plagued them last season. Ayton is expected to be the interior centerpiece, while Kelley emerges as a potential energy contributor off the bench and to cover quality minutes in the rotation.

With these adjustments, the Lakers aim to build a balanced roster around their stellar core: Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. The purple and gold franchise is set to once again contend for the championship in an extremely competitive landscape.

The Brutal West in the 25/26 NBA Season

The West presents a scenario of maximum demand: the Oklahoma City Thunder with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will defend the title, the Houston Rockets boast the offensive power of Kevin Durant and the growth of Alperen Sengun, the Denver Nuggets with Nikola Jokic remain a constant threat, and the Golden State Warriors, with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green still active, persist as a tough opponent in any matchup.

Kelley's signing may not be a headline-grabber, but it is a strategic move: a player who understands his role and can provide support to the stars in regular-season games and long playoff series. For a franchise that has struggled in recent years with a lack of depth in the frontcourt, every piece matters. And in a season that could mark LeBron James' last significant attempt to capture another title, nothing is left to chance.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Mercado NBA: Los Lakers fichan a un ex pívot de Mavs y Pelicans