Lakers center Kylor Kelley
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Lakers' Kylor Kelley prior to a game against the Pheonix Suns in October 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers have spent years searching for stability at the center position, cycling through short-term fixes without securing a dependable long-term solution.
Last offseason, the franchise signed former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton in hopes of finally anchoring the position. However, the move has yet to deliver the consistency the Lakers envisioned.
Ayton has endured an uneven season, and questions surrounding his role and long-term future in Los Angeles have only intensified.
In recent years, the Lakers have also relied on two-way contracts to bolster their frontcourt depth. Trey Jemison and Christian Koloko filled those roles last season, with Koloko returning on a similar deal to begin this year.
At the same time, the organization has continued developing promising frontcourt options through its G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
One of those G League pieces, however, has now departed in a surprising move.
Lakers Lose Defensive Anchor as Kylor Kelley Departs
On Friday, the South Bay Lakers confirmed that center Kylor Kelley had left the organization via a buyout to pursue an opportunity overseas.
It has since been reported that Kelley signed with a team in the Philippines, where he will join former NBA center Bol Bol, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Kelley had become a familiar presence within the Lakers’ system over the past two seasons, establishing himself as one of the G League’s more reliable rim protectors since going undrafted in 2020.
Across 31 games with South Bay this season, the 7-footer averaged 8.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 67.9% from the field.
While his scoring numbers were modest, evaluators often prioritize defensive impact, physical presence, and rim protection when assessing frontcourt options. Kelley consistently excelled in those areas.
He has appeared in 139 career G League games and recorded multiple eight-block performances over the past three seasons. This year, he ranks sixth league-wide in total blocks with 65.
Kelley also led the entire G League in blocks during the 2023-24 season, earning All-Defensive Team honors in the process.
Kelley Carved Out Defensive Reputation Across NBA and G League Stops
Since entering the professional ranks in 2020, Kelley has built his career around defensive impact, moving between the G League, overseas leagues, and brief NBA opportunities.
Last season, he earned NBA call-ups with the Dallas Mavericks on a two-way contract and later signed a 10-day deal with the New Orleans Pelicans while still maintaining ties to the Lakers’ development system.
Though his NBA opportunities were limited, Kelley showed flashes of his potential when given extended minutes.
Across 11 career NBA appearances, he averaged 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds. His most notable performance came against the Cleveland Cavaliers, when he recorded a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double after stepping into a larger role due to injuries.
The Lakers have struggled defensively in the paint this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in several rebounding, rim protection, and interior defensive categories. In theory, Kelley’s defensive skillset could have offered value in addressing those weaknesses.
However, his path back to the NBA through a two-way contract was no longer viable. Having accumulated more than the maximum four years of eligible NBA service, Kelley was ineligible for another two-way deal.
His move overseas now presents a new chapter, while the Lakers continue their ongoing search for long-term stability at the center position.