In a bold move to bolster their frontcourt, the Los Angeles Lakers have signed 7-foot center Kylor Kelley to a training camp deal, as first reported by ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel. The towering shot-blocker, who spent much of last season dominating the G League with the South Bay Lakers, will compete for the team’s final two-way roster slot when training camp opens this fall. This addition signals the Lakers’ intent to prioritize size, rim protection, and depth as they navigate a tricky salary cap situation.
Cap Constraints Shape Lakers’ Strategy
The Lakers are operating under tight financial restrictions, with just one standard roster spot and one two-way contract remaining. After signing Marcus Smart with their bi-annual exception earlier this summer, the team is hard-capped at the first apron, leaving a mere $1.1 million in cap space. This limitation prevents Los Angeles from adding a veteran minimum contract to fill their 15th roster spot, pushing them to focus on cost-effective, high-upside players like Kelley for training camp.
Kelley, a 27-year-old defensive specialist, fits perfectly into this strategy. He joins Christian Koloko and Chris Manon as the Lakers’ current two-way contract players, offering a chance to solidify the frontcourt behind starter Deandre Ayton.
Kelley’s Defensive Prowess and Journey
Kelley has carved out a reputation as one of the G League’s premier rim protectors. During the 2024-25 season with South Bay, he averaged 11.5 points on an impressive 68.2% shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and a league-leading 2.4 blocks in 26.7 minutes per game. Starting in 27 of 32 games, his defensive dominance earned him a spot on the NBA G League All-Defensive Team.
His NBA experience, though limited, shows promise. Kelley appeared in 11 games last season with the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks, averaging 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11.5 minutes. A standout performance came on February 2, when he recorded a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double in his first career start for Dallas against the Cleveland Cavaliers, showcasing his ability to impact both ends of the floor.
Kelley’s professional journey spans four G League seasons with teams like South Bay, Maine, Raptors 905, and Austin, where he averaged 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in just over 20 minutes per game across 108 appearances. He’s also played overseas in Canada, Denmark, and England, adding versatility to his resume. Before turning pro, Kelley was a two-time Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selection at Oregon State, where he led the conference and ranked second nationally in blocks (3.5 per game) during his final 2019-20 season.
Marciulionis Joins the Training Camp Mix
Kelley isn’t the only intriguing addition to the Lakers’ training camp roster. The team also signed Augustas Marciulionis, a 6-foot-4 guard and two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year at Saint Mary’s. Marciulionis, the son of former NBA star Sarunas Marciulionis, chose the Lakers over the Milwaukee Bucks, citing familiarity and trust in the organization. “LA just felt like the right choice,” he told BasketNews.
Despite a broken foot that impacted his 2025 NBA Draft stock, Marciulionis is expected to be ready for camp after completing rehab in Lithuania. Last season, he averaged 14.2 points and 5.9 assists, showcasing his playmaking ability. Like Kelley, he’ll enter camp on a non-guaranteed deal, with a chance to prove himself. “I just need to stay healthy and play well,” Marciulionis said. “I believe I can do it.”
The Lakers also added RJ Davis, Eric Dixon, and Arthur Kaluma to their training camp roster, creating a competitive environment for young talent vying for limited spots.
A Low-Risk, High-Reward Move
Kelley’s signing is a classic Lakers move: low financial commitment with significant upside. His elite shot-blocking and rebounding could provide valuable depth behind Ayton, especially in a grueling 82-game season. If he secures the two-way contract, Kelley could emerge as a situational defensive anchor, addressing a key need for a team looking to compete in the Western Conference.
Marciulionis, meanwhile, brings guard depth and playmaking potential, offering a different dynamic. Both players will face intense scrutiny in training camp, as the Lakers’ storied franchise demands immediate contributions from its role players.
Looking Ahead
With roster flexibility limited by the salary cap, the Lakers are wisely investing in young, hungry players who can grow into larger roles. Kelley and Marciulionis represent the kind of high-upside gambles that could pay dividends, either as two-way contributors or future rotation pieces. As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on these newcomers to see if they can turn short-term opportunities into lasting roles with one of the NBA’s most iconic teams.