Kylor Kelley
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Lakers' Kylor Kelley prior to a game against the Pheonix Suns in October 2024
For years, the Los Angeles Lakers have searched for stability at center, cycling through short-term fixes and stopgap solutions without landing on a long-term answer.
Since the 2020 championship run, when Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee anchored the paint, the position has become one of the most unsettled spots on the roster.
Various options have come and gone, but none have provided the consistent rim protection and physical presence that once underpinned the Lakers’ identity.
The team attempted another reset this past summer, signing former No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton to a two-year deal following his buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The move was viewed as a low-risk, high-upside gamble after several inconsistent seasons from Ayton, yet early signs suggest he may not represent a long-term solution either.
What makes the situation more intriguing is that a potential answer may already exist within the organization. While the Lakers continue to explore frontcourt options at the NBA level, one of the most productive shot-blockers in the G League has been quietly making his case just down the road.
Lakers’ G League Big Man Keeps Delivering
South Bay Lakers center Kylor Kelley delivered another standout performance on Tuesday night, recording seven blocks in a win over the Memphis Hustle and reinforcing his reputation as one of the G League’s premier rim protectors.
The seven-footer nearly posted a triple-double, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds to cap a dominant defensive outing.
Through 17 games this season with South Bay, Kelley is averaging 7.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game, shooting an efficient 64.1% from the field.
While those raw numbers may not immediately scream NBA-ready, teams evaluating G League talent often look beyond scoring totals, prioritizing physicality, defensive instincts, and positional impact.
Kelley has repeatedly shown those traits. He has logged 125 career G League games, recorded multiple eight-block performances across the past three seasons, and currently ranks 10th league-wide in blocks with 35.
He led the entire G League in blocks during the 2023-24 season, earning a spot on the All-Defensive Team in the process.
Injuries and inconsistency have forced Lakers head coach JJ Redick to constantly shuffle lineups this season, disrupting continuity and increasing the need for contributors beyond Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves who can impact games without relying solely on scoring.
Jake LaRavia has answered that call in recent games, while Redick has urged Dalton Knecht to focus on effort and two-way play to earn minutes, rather than shooting success.
That philosophy aligns with Kelley, whose rim protection and willingness to do the dirty work could make him a reliable defensive presence despite a limited offensive role.
A Familiar Problem, and a Familiar Opportunity
Undrafted in 2020, Kelley has bounced between the G League and overseas stops, carving out a niche as a defensive specialist rather than a traditional developmental prospect.
Last season, while also on the Lakers’ books, Kelley earned brief NBA opportunities with the Dallas Mavericks on a two-way contract and later with the New Orleans Pelicans on a 10-day deal.
Though his minutes were limited, he flashed NBA-viable skills, particularly when given extended run.
Across 11 NBA appearances, Kelley averaged 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds, but his most notable showing came against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double when injuries opened up minutes.
That profile mirrors the trajectory of former South Bay center Jay Huff, who has since carved out a stable NBA role and is currently with the Indiana Pacers.
Meanwhile, the Lakers continue to struggle in areas Kelley could immediately address. They rank 26th league-wide in rebounds per game, 25th in blocks, and sit second-worst in defensive rating over the past 15 games. The lack of vertical presence and interior resistance has been a persistent issue.
Despite years of defensive production, Kelley remains confined to the developmental level. He is currently on a standard G League contract, meaning any NBA team can sign him outright without compensation.
With 10-day contracts now available outside of hardship exceptions and standard NBA/two-way deals becoming fully guaranteed on January 7, roster movement is expected to accelerate. At 28, Kelley may not be viewed as a long-term project, but that could work in his favor.
Teams seeking immediate help value players who understand their role, defend with purpose, and contribute without needing the offense run through them. Whether with the Lakers or elsewhere, another opportunity could be be approaching.