The Los Angeles Lakers have made another splash in free agency, continuing their strategy of surrounding franchise superstar Luka Doncic with familiar faces as they gear up for the 2025-26 NBA season. In a move that sent ripples through the league, the Lakers announced the signing of 7-foot center Kylor Kelley, a former teammate of Doncic’s from their time together with the Dallas Mavericks.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Kylor Kelley,” the franchise confirmed in a statement last Monday. The announcement comes on the heels of the Lakers reuniting Doncic with his former strength and conditioning coach, signaling their commitment to building a cohesive environment around their five-time All-Star.
Kelley, a 7-foot, 230-pound center, brings a defensive-minded presence to Los Angeles. Last season, the 27-year-old appeared in 11 NBA games, including two starts, split between the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game. His standout performance came in his first career NBA start with the Mavericks on February 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he recorded an impressive 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, complemented by one assist and one block.
While Doncic and Kelley never shared the court in Dallas due to Doncic’s late December calf strain and Kelley’s limited minutes, their prior time together in the Mavericks’ organization gives them a foundation of familiarity. During his eight games with Dallas last season, Kelley averaged 3.0 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting an efficient 63.6% from the field.
Kelley, an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State, has yet to fully establish himself in the NBA but has shown significant promise as a rim protector. His defensive prowess was on full display in the G-League during the 2023-24 season, where he averaged an impressive 2.9 blocks per game, earning G-League All-Defensive Team honors. He followed that up with another strong showing in the 2024-25 G-League campaign, averaging 2.1 blocks per game.
The Logan, Utah native’s defensive instincts are nothing new. During his collegiate career at Oregon State, Kelley earned two Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selections, showcasing the same shot-blocking ability that has defined his professional career. His knack for protecting the rim could make him a valuable asset for the Lakers, who are looking to bolster their frontcourt depth under new head coach JJ Redick.
While Kelley’s role in Los Angeles remains uncertain, his defensive pedigree and familiarity with Doncic could position him for a spot in Redick’s rotation if circumstances align. The Lakers’ bold move to sign Kelley reflects their ongoing efforts to build a competitive roster around Doncic, blending youth, experience, and chemistry as they aim to make a deep playoff run in the 2025-26 season.
As the Lakers continue to reshape their roster, the addition of Kylor Kelley is a low-risk, high-reward gamble that could pay dividends for a team looking to reclaim its place among the NBA’s elite