The Los Angeles Lakers did it again.
The organization continues to surround Luka Doncic, its franchise player, with familiar faces as it heads into the 2024-25 campaign.
Weeks after reuniting Doncic with his former strength and conditioning coach, Los Angeles elected to sign his ex-7-foot Dallas Mavericks teammate.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Kylor Kelley,” the franchise announced last Monday.
“Kelley (7-foot, 230) appeared in 11 NBA games (two starts) last season with the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks, averaging 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11.5 minutes.”
“In his first career NBA start with the Mavericks Feb. 2 at Cleveland (Cavaliers), Kelley recorded a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double to go with one assist and one block.”
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Due to Doncic’s late December calf strain diagnosis and Kelley’s limited action with the Mavericks, the two never shared the floor in Dallas.
Still, it helps that the five-time All-Star and undrafted center have experience being around one another in an NBA setting.
Kelley averaged 3.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in eight contests with the Mavericks last season, shooting 63.6% from the field.
Although the Oregon State product hasn’t put it all together in the NBA, he’s been a brilliant rim protector in the G-League.
Kelley recorded 2.9 blocks per game in the NBA’s minor league during the 2023-24 season, earning him G-League All-Defensive team honors. Kelley followed up his remarkable defensive showing with a 2.1 blocks per game 2024-25 campaign.
Considering the Logan, Utah native received two Pac-12 All-Defensive team selections while competing at the collegiate level, it isn’t surprising to witness him continue to play to his strengths in the pros.
Kelley could find himself in JJ Redick’s rotation in 2025-26 if things align perfectly.
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