Category: Los Angeles Lakers Blog

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Lakers extend agreement with Rob Pelinka

The Los Angeles Lakers recently extended their agreement with Rob Pelinka, naming him President of Basketball Operations and General Manager.

“For eight seasons, I have relied on Rob’s vision and leadership to do what’s best for the Lakers organization,” said Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss. “I value his partnership and professionalism and believe in his ability to deliver championship-caliber basketball for Los Angeles and Lakers fans everywhere.”

Pelinka joined the Lakers in 2017 as General Manager and was named Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager in 2020.

Lakers sign Jordan Goodwin, waive Cam Reddish

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Jordan Goodwin. In a related move, the team has waived forward Cam Reddish.

Goodwin (6’5”, 220) most recently signed a two-way contract with the Lakers Feb. 7. In 19 appearances (five starts), the 26-year-old has averaged 6.4 points on 47.0% shooting from the floor, 41.3% from long distance and 81.8% from the foul line, while adding 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.5 minutes. He’s collected multiple steals in six games and registered at least one block in seven contests. Prior to signing the two-way contract, Goodwin appeared in 17 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season G League games (nine starts) for the South Bay Lakers, averaging 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals in 24.0 minutes.

In 140 career NBA games (24 starts) across four seasons with the Lakers (2024-25), Memphis Grizzlies (2023-24), Phoenix Suns (2023-24) and Washington Wizards (2021-23), Goodwin has averaged 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 18.3 minutes. The Illinois native went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft following four collegiate seasons at St. Louis University (2017-21).

Luka Doncic puts up big game in Lakers win over Nuggets

Per the Denver Post:

JJ Redick’s challenge to Luka Doncic in Denver was of the emotional variety. But he knew it would probably translate to the statistics.

“I want at least one blackout episode where he’s screaming indiscriminately at no one in particular because he’s excited,” the first-year Lakers coach said Saturday before facing the Nuggets. “That means he’s back. That’s the Luka I know. The killer.”

Back from what, exactly? Doncic’s recent calf injury, yes, but also the mental malaise associated with getting traded away from a city where he thought he would play his entire career. It’s still sinking in throughout the basketball world that Luka is a Laker — that the Dallas Mavericks would choose to ship off their 25-year-old franchise cornerstone.

As Doncic processes it all, he’s been struggling by his standards. But not on Saturday. The Slovenian point guard went for 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals to lead the Lakers in their 123-100 win at Ball Arena.

LA Clippers, city of Los Angeles will host 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend

The LA Clippers and the city of Los Angeles are next up and will host NBA All-Star 2026. The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. This will mark the record seventh NBA All-Star in Los Angeles, and the first time Intuit Dome will host the annual midseason showcase reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 50 languages.

Prior to tonight’s NBA All-Star Championship Game at Chase Center, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and LA Clippers guard James Harden met at center court in front of a star symbolizing the official passing of NBA All-Star hosting duties.

After the ceremonial handoff moment, the NBA and the Clippers unveiled the logos for the 2026 NBA All-Star festivities.

“Clipper Nation, we ready. Intuit Dome – it’s gonna be live in there. I’m excited for the world to get an opportunity to see how beautiful that establishment is,” said Harden. “We’re a year out – we’re ready now – but we’ve got a year to prepare, and make sure it’s flawless for everybody to see.”

NBA All-Star on-court events will tip off on Friday, Feb. 13 at Intuit Dome with NBA Rising Stars, an annual showcase for top rookies and second-year NBA players. On Feb. 14, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature the Kia Skills Challenge, the Starry 3-Point Challenge and AT&T Slam Dunk. NBA All-Star 2026 will culminate with the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15.

The NBA will host several events for fans of all ages at venues throughout Los Angeles and Inglewood, including at Kia Forum and the Los Angeles Convention Center. These events, including NBA All-Star Practice presented by AT&T, the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and an NBA All-Star fan fest, will feature basketball programming and entertainment for fans as well as up-close access to NBA players, legends and celebrities.

The league will also continue to celebrate its commitment to social responsibility with a full schedule of NBA Cares events during NBA All-Star 2026. Through partnerships with schools, local and national nonprofit organizations, the league will reach thousands of children and families in Los Angeles, Inglewood and the surrounding areas and provide critical resources to community-based programs.

Lakers sign Alex Len, waive Christian Wood

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Alex Len.

And in a related move, the team waived forward/center Christian Wood.

Len (7’0”, 250) most recently suited up for the Sacramento Kings this season, appearing in 36 games (three starts) and averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 7.2 minutes. The 31-year-old has seen action in 680 career NBA games (240 starts) across 12 seasons with Sacramento (2021-25, 2019-20), Washington (2020-21), Toronto (2020-21), Atlanta (2018-20) and Phoenix (2013-18), averaging 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 17.1 minutes. Len has scored in double figures 198 times throughout his career and has grabbed double-digit rebounds in 105 outings.

The Ukraine native played two collegiate seasons at the University of Maryland (2011-13). As a sophomore, Len appeared in 38 games (37 starts) and averaged 11.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.1 blocks in 26.4 minutes.

Wood originally signed with the Lakers Sept. 6, 2023, and appeared in 50 regular season games (one start) during the 2023-24 season, averaging 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.4 minutes.

Three-team trade sends Luka Doncic to Lakers, Anthony Davis to Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they acquired 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for guard Luka Dončić, forward/center Maxi Kleber and forward/center Markieff Morris. As part of the three-team deal, the Utah Jazz acquires guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick from Los Angeles and a 2025 second-round pick from Dallas.

“We are overwhelmingly thankful for AD’s six seasons with the Lakers, where he led our franchise to a championship and cemented himself as a perennial NBA All-Star,” said Lakers General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka. “We are proud of Max Christie’s development as a Laker as he has grown into an impact 3-and-D player and we are appreciative of the work Jalen Hood-Schifino has put in to show professionalism at every level. Sports are about transformative moments. We are inspired by these moments Lakers fans know, expect and love with a franchise that continually ushers in new eras of greatness.”

“Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” continued Pelinka. “His killer instincts and commitment to winning championships will be a driving force for the team. We will be relentless in building a roster around the on-court vision Coach Redick has for this basketball team and there is an unwavering commitment to that work to serve our loyal and dedicated fans. We are grateful for today and look forward to what’s next.”

Dončić is one of three players in league history to garner five All-NBA First Team selections before age 26, joining Kevin Durant and Tim Duncan. The 25-year-old has tallied 12,089 points, 3,655 rebounds and 3,489 assists and is one of two players in NBA history to record at least 10,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists through their first 400 career games (Oscar Robertson). Dončić became the first Maverick to claim an NBA scoring title after averaging 33.9 points during the 2023-24 campaign. That season on Jan. 26, Dončić scored a franchise-record 73 points versus the Atlanta Hawks, which tied for the fourth-most in NBA history. He currently stands second all-time in triple-doubles by players aged 25 or younger with 80, trailing only Oscar Robertson (117).

This season, Dončić has appeared in 22 games (all starts), averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 35.7 minutes. In 422 career NBA regular season games (all starts) across seven campaigns with Dallas (2018-25), Dončić has averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 34.9 minutes. Dončić’s career points per game average in the regular season is the third highest in NBA history. In 50 career playoff games (all starts), he’s averaged 30.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals in 38.9 minutes with an NBA Finals appearance in 2024. The five-time NBA All-Star ranks second all-time in playoff scoring average and tied-sixth in postseason triple-doubles (10). The Slovenian was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft prior to being traded to Dallas to begin his NBA career. Dončić went on to win the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year award after averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.2 minutes.

“We are thankful for Luka and grateful for his efforts during his time with us,” stated General Manager Nico Harrison. “He helped build this team and was an integral part of the success we’ve seen throughout the years, including our recent NBA Finals run, along with Maxi and Markieff who are veteran voices equally valued across this team. This is a new chapter, and we are excited to welcome Anthony and Max to the fold. AD is an experienced veteran, who can play both ends of the floor while helping elevate us defensively. He knows first-hand what it takes to win, and I know he’s motivated to be a part of what we’re building in Dallas.”

Davis (6-10, 268) holds career averages of 24.2 points (.523 FG%, .795 FT%), 10.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.3 blocks and 34.5 minutes per game in 778 career games (771 starts) with the New Orleans Pelicans and Lakers. In 42 games (all starts) for Los Angeles this season, he has averaged 25.7 points (.528 FG%, .788 FT%), 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks in 34.3 minutes.

The 13-year veteran is a 10-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA First Team selection (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020), a 2024 All-NBA Second Team honoree, a three-time NBA All-Defensive Team First Team selection (2018, 2020, 2024) and a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team honoree (2015, 2017). Davis was a member of the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship team that featured Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd as an assistant coach. The 2017 NBA All-Star Game MVP and member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team has also won two gold medals as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team (2012, 2024).

Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to Lakers for Anthony Davis

Per the LA Times:

The Lakers pulled off a stunning trade Saturday night, sending center Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team deal for star guard Luka Doncic to set up the organization for its post-LeBron James era with one of the NBA’s best young players.

The deal happened after the Lakers beat the New York Knicks 128-112 in Madison Square Garden, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly. The Lakers sent Davis, young guard Max Christie and their 2029 first-round draft pick to Dallas for Doncic and forwards Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. The Lakers also sent second-year guard Jalen Hood-Schifino to the Utah Jazz, who got second-round picks from the Lakers (their 2025 pick from the Clippers) and Mavericks to facilitate the trade.

Per the Dallas Morning News:

Doncic is in his seventh NBA season and averages 28.6 points for his career, third-highest in NBA history to this point.

This season, however, Doncic has only played in 22 games and has missed the last 18 with a left calf strain, drawing even closer scrutiny with his career-long struggles with maintaining optimal conditioning.

Until this trade, Doncic was eligible to receive a five-year, $345 million supermax extension from the Mavericks this offseason, and in recent weeks there had been rumblings about whether Dallas and its face of the franchise were headed to a crossroad of uncertainty

Lakers sign Trey Jemison III, waive Quincy Olivari

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Trey Jemison III to a two-way contract.

In a related move, the Lakers waived two-way guard Quincy Olivari.

Jemison III (6’11”, 275) joins the Lakers after suiting up in 16 contests for the New Orleans Pelicans this season, averaging 2.4 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10.4 minutes. The 25-year-old appeared in 25 games (14 starts) combined for the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies during the 2023-24 season, averaging 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 22.9 minutes. In NBA G League action last season, Jemison III started all 25 regular season and Tip-Off Tournament games for the Birmingham Squadron, averaging 10.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in 31.6 minutes.

The Alabama native, who went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, played five collegiate seasons at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2020-23) and Clemson University (2018-20). As a senior at UAB, Jemison III appeared in 39 games (all starts) and averaged 9.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 25.2 minutes. He finished the season leading Conference USA in rebounds per game and was named to the league’s all-defensive team.

Olivari was originally signed by the Lakers Aug. 14, 2024, and was converted to a two-way contract Oct. 19. He suited up in two contests for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, averaging 1.5 points in 5.0 minutes. In 13 regular season and Tip-Off Tournament appearances for the South Bay Lakers, Olivari averaged 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 30.0 minutes.

Lakers trade D’Angelo Russell to Nets

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired via trade forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. In return, the Lakers sent guard D’Angelo Russell, forward Maxwell Lewis and three future second round draft picks to the Nets.

Finney-Smith (6’7”, 225) has appeared in 20 games (all starts) for Brooklyn this season, averaging 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29.0 minutes. On the season, the 31-year-old is shooting a career-best 43.5 percent from 3-point range. In 548 career NBA games (424 starts) across nine seasons with the Nets (2023-25) and Dallas Mavericks (2016-23), Finney-Smith has averaged 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 27.9 minutes. He has appeared in 35 career NBA playoff games (all starts) with the Nets and Mavericks, averaging 10.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 35.7 minutes. The Virginia native went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft before earning an opening-night roster spot with the Dallas Mavericks prior to the 2016-17 season. He played collegiately for Florida (2013-16) and Virginia Tech (2011-12).

Milton (6’5”, 212) has appeared in 27 games (one start) for Brooklyn this season, averaging 7.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 18.2 minutes. In 329 career outings (46 starts) across seven seasons with the Nets (2024-25), New York Knicks (2023-24), Detroit Pistons (2023-24), Minnesota Timberwolves (2023-24) and Philadelphia 76ers (2018-23), the 28-year-old has averaged 8.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 19.3 minutes. In 38 career NBA playoff contests (four starts) for the 76ers and Knicks, the Oklahoma native has averaged 4.8 points and 1.2 rebounds in 11.8 minutes. The SMU product (2015-18) was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 54th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft prior to being traded to Philadelphia to begin his professional career.

In 29 outings (10 starts) for the Lakers this season, Russell averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 26.3 minutes. In 600 career regular season NBA games (510 starts), the 28-year-old has averaged 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 30.0 minutes.

Lewis suited up in 41 contests over the past two seasons with the Purple and Gold. He was drafted by the Lakers with the 40th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Lakers convert contract of Quincy Olivari to a two-way contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have converted the contract of guard Quincy Olivari to a two-way contract.

Additionally, the team has waived two-way center Colin Castleton and guard Grayson Murphy.

Olivari (6’2”, 201) recently appeared in four preseason games for the Lakers, averaging 8.8 points on 52.2 percent shooting from the floor and 57.1 percent from 3-point range to go with 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 13.4 minutes. Oct. 18 at Golden State, Olivari recorded 22 points on 5-of-9 shooting from long distance, seven rebounds and two assists in 39 minutes. Sparking a fourth-quarter comeback Oct. 10 at Milwaukee, Olivari posted 11 points as part of a 20-0 Lakers run to steal the victory.

The Georgia native played five collegiate seasons at Xavier (2023-24) and Rice (2019-23). In his lone campaign as a Musketeer, Olivari appeared in 34 games (all starts) and averaged 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 32.2 minutes. He finished the season as the Big East’s leader in 3-point field goal percentage (.409) and was voted to the league’s honorable mention team. Olivari played for the Lakers’ 2024 summer league team.

Castleton was signed by the Lakers July 6 and recently appeared in five preseason games. In 16 contests for the Purple and Gold in 2023-24, he averaged 1.5 points in 3.7 minutes.

Murphy was signed by the Lakers Oct. 18.