South Bay Lakers center Malik Williams
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Malik Williams during his time with Louisville in December 2021
On Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers were suddenly faced with a frontcourt shake-up when center Kylor Kelley departed their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, in an unexpected move.
South Bay confirmed that Kelley left the organization via a buyout to pursue an overseas opportunity.
It was later reported that he signed with a team in the Philippines, where he will join former NBA center Bol Bol, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
The Lakers’ G League affiliate has since acted quickly to address the void.
Shortly after Kelley’s departure, South Bay acquired center Malik Williams from the College Park Skyhawks in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick (originally from Rip City via Rio Grande Valley and Osceola) and a 2027 first-round pick.
Lakers Add Former Top Prospect in Immediate Response
Williams, 27, entered the professional ranks with significant pedigree, having been a five-star recruit out of high school, per ESPN and 247Sports.
He began the season with the Atlanta Hawks’ G League affiliate, College Park, and later signed a two-way contract with Atlanta before being waived in January. Despite that setback, Williams continued to deliver strong production.
Across 17 G League regular-season games, the 6-foot-11 center averaged 16.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 28.0 minutes per game.
He also impressed during the Tip-Off Tournament, posting averages of 16.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 blocks across 12 games.
Williams’ impact has been felt across the league. His 293 total rebounds rank seventh overall, while his 40 blocks place him 15th.
After going undrafted in 2022 following a four-year college career at Louisville, Williams gained experience overseas in Poland and with the Miami Heat’s G League affiliate before earning NBA minutes with the Toronto Raptors.
In seven NBA appearances during the 2023-24 season, Williams averaged 2.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game.
His most notable performance came against the Brooklyn Nets, when he recorded seven points and 14 rebounds, including five offensive boards, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level.
Lakers Replace Defensive Specialist With More Versatile Frontcourt Option
Williams arrives as a direct replacement for Kelley, who had become a dependable defensive presence within the Lakers’ development system over the past two seasons.
In 31 games with South Bay this season, Kelley averaged 8.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.1 blocks while shooting an efficient 67.9% from the field.
Although his offensive production was limited, Kelley established himself as one of the G League’s premier rim protectors. His defensive instincts and physical presence consistently stood out, ultimately helping him secure a new opportunity overseas.
Kelley appeared in 139 career G League games and recorded multiple eight-block performances over the past three seasons. This year, he ranked sixth league-wide in total blocks with 65.
He also led the entire G League in blocks during the 2023-24 campaign, earning All-Defensive Team honors.
While Kelley built his reputation primarily on defense, Williams offers a more well-rounded profile, combining interior scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility.
His arrival strengthens a South Bay roster that already features promising talent, including two-way players Drew Timme, Nick Smith Jr., and Chris Manon, along with G League standout RJ Davis and frequent assignee Bronny James.
With Williams now in place, the Lakers’ development pipeline remains active, ensuring the organization continues to evaluate frontcourt options as it searches for overlooked solutions at the center position.