Category: Los Angeles Lakers Blog

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Lakers sign rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James

The Los Angeles Lakers recently signed 2024 draft selections Dalton Knecht and Bronny James.

Selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Knecht (6’5”, 212) averaged 21.7 points (45.8 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 77.2 FT%), 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 36 games (all starts) last season at the University of Tennessee. The 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year earned First Team All-America honors and ranked third in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage last season. In 103 career Division I games (79 starts) across one campaign at Tennessee and two seasons at Northern Colorado (2021-23), the guard averaged 16.9 points (46.1 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 76.8 FT%), 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

James (6’2”, 210), drafted by the Lakers with the 55th overall pick, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games (six starts) in his lone season at the University of Southern California in 2023-24. Born in Akron, Ohio, the guard attended Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles where he was named a McDonald’s All-American following his senior season where he averaged 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals.

Knecht will wear jersey No. 4 for the Lakers, while James will wear No. 9. Both will be in action for the Purple and Gold’s summer league team later this month.

Lakers name JJ Redick as new head coach

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced JJ Redick as head coach. Redick becomes the 29th head coach in franchise history and the 25th of the Los Angeles era.

“We are thrilled to introduce JJ Redick as the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers,” said Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. “After a thoughtful and thorough search process, I couldn’t be more proud to welcome JJ, his wife Chelsea, and their two sons to the Lakers family. JJ is a fierce competitor and has an extraordinary basketball IQ and understanding of the modern game that will energize players and excite fans. His rigorous analysis will immediately unlock new opportunities for our roster while setting a foundation for player development over the long term. He brings an intense dedication to innovation, advancing the game and staying at the forefront of an ever-evolving league. Beyond his basketball acumen, JJ has a care for people and genuine empathy that are critical for connecting with players today. This is an exciting time for Lakers basketball.”

Redick, 40, enjoyed a 15-year NBA playing career (2006-21) suiting up for Dallas, New Orleans, Philadelphia, LA Clippers, Milwaukee and Orlando. Of those 15 seasons, the former guard was part of 14 teams that advanced to the NBA Playoffs. The renowned shooter excelled in his role, averaging 12.8 points in 940 regular season games. Redick was a career 41.5-percent shooter from distance and his 1,950 made triples still stand 20th all-time in NBA history.

“I am incredibly humbled to join the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic and successful sports franchises in the world,” Redick said. “This opportunity for me is all about service to the players, team and organization. I want to express my utmost appreciation to Jeanie Buss, Rob Pelinka and the entire Lakers front office. My goal will focus on delivering championship-caliber basketball for Lakers fans everywhere, building on the tremendous history and legacy of the Lakers. I am excited to surround myself with a veteran, innovative staff as we work relentlessly to develop individual players and maximize the team’s potential. My family and I couldn’t be more ecstatic for this new chapter in our lives and look forward to immersing ourselves in the vibrant Los Angeles community.”

Lakers interview JJ Reddick for head coaching job

Per the LA Times:

The Lakers hosted former player and current broadcaster JJ Redick on Saturday in their most formal interview with him to date, with multiple members of the organization speaking to the former Duke star about the team’s head-coaching vacancy.

The step is an important one for Redick, who has been a central figure in the team’s coaching search as an external favorite, a presumed frontrunner after initial contact at the NBA draft combine and now as potentially the final candidate to meet with executive vice president and general manager Rob Pelinka, owner Jeanie Buss and other key Lakers figures.

While some inside the organization have said the team doesn’t necessarily need to hire a coach before the NBA draft on June 26-27, there are major decisions that need to be made regarding the roster, including the possibility of trading up to three first-round picks (No. 17 this year and unprotected firsts in 2029 and 2031) on draft night.

The Lakers head coaching job is not the easiest role around. The team roster is good enough to squeeze into the playoffs, but their upside potential feels limited. They’re not a championship contender, but they’re not in a rebuilding model, either. But any job with the Lakers will always be high profile and one of the league’s most desirable places to be.

Lakers announce partial schedule for 2024-25 preseason

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced three games for the team’s 2024-25 preseason schedule.

The preseason slate is highlighted by an Oct.15 contest in Las Vegas against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena, the site of the purple and gold’s NBA Cup title last season. Tickets go on sale May 20.

In mid-October, the team will continue its tradition of bringing Lakers basketball to Las Vegas when it takes on Golden State Oct. 15 at T-Mobile Arena. The purple and gold own many proud moments in Sin City, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar breaking the then-NBA scoring record held by Wilt Chamberlain on April 5, 1984, versus Utah. Legend Kobe Bryant was named the 2007 NBA All-Star Game MVP held in Las Vegas after leading the West Team to victory with a game-high 31 points.

Los Angeles will open the preseason with a pair of games in Greater Palm Springs at Acrisure Arena, hosting Minnesota Oct. 4 and Phoenix Oct. 6. The purple and gold boast a rich history in the Coachella Valley, the former home of Lakers training camp. Legends Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal left their mark on the Greater Palm Springs area when they suited up for Los Angeles in the 1997 preseason at the College of the Desert. The Lakers most recently hosted the Suns at a sold-out Acrisure Arena during the 2023 preseason. Tickets for this year’s contests in the Coachella Valley will go on sale May 20 as well.

Anthony Davis dealing with eye contusion

Via the OC Register:

Anthony Davis, who had an early exit from the Lakers’ 128-121 Saturday loss to the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena because of an eye contusion, is questionable for Monday’s home game vs. the Atlanta Hawks because of a left corneal abrasion, per the team.

Davis went back to the Lakers’ locker room in between the first and second quarters after getting hit in the eye by Trayce Jackson-Davis on a layup with 2:47 left in the first.

The All-Star big man didn’t get back on defense on the ensuing Warriors’ possession.

Davis stayed in the game until the final three seconds of the quarter, subbing out alongside Jaxson Hayes as part of an offensive-defensive substitution at the end of the quarter before heading back to the locker room in between quarters.

The Lakers are 36-32 this season, which is the 10th best record in the Western conference.

Lakers sign Harry Giles III to two-way contract, waive Dylan Windler

The Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday (March 2) signed forward/center Harry Giles III to a two-way contract.

And in a related move, the Lakers waived two-way forward Dylan Windler.

Giles III (6’10”, 240) most recently suited up for the Brooklyn Nets, appearing in 16 games this season and averaging 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.1 minutes. Across three-plus seasons with Brooklyn (2023-24), Portland (2020-21) and Sacramento (2018-20), Giles III owns career averages of 5.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 12.1 minutes across 158 total NBA games (17 starts). He made his lone career playoff appearance in 2021 with the Trail Blazers during a first round series against Denver.

The North Carolina native was selected by Portland with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft before being traded to Sacramento on draft night. Giles III played one collegiate season (2016-17) at Duke University.

Windler appeared in eight games for the Lakers this season, averaging 1.5 points in 3.5 minutes. The 27-year-old also suited up in three contests for the South Bay Lakers, averaging 11.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 27.5 minutes.

Lakers sign Skylar Mays to two-way contract

The Los Angeles Lakers yesterday signed guard Skylar Mays to a two-way contract.

Mays (6’4”, 205) joins the Lakers from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he appeared in 21 games (five starts) this season, averaging 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 17.0 minutes. In three-plus campaigns with Portland (2022-24) and Atlanta (2020-22), the Louisiana native has played in 88 career NBA contests (16 starts) and averaged 4.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 11.8 minutes. Competing in the NBA G League with Mexico City (2022-23), Delaware (2022-23) and College Park (2021-22), Mays owns career averages of 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 27.8 minutes per game in 30 total contests (15 starts).

The 26-year-old was selected with the 50th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Hawks following four collegiate seasons (2016-20) at LSU. Mays was named First-Team All-SEC as a senior and Second-Team All-SEC as a junior with the Tigers.

Mays will wear jersey No. 4 for the purple and gold.

Lakers sign Dylan Windler to two-way contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard/forward Dylan Windler to a two-way contract.

Windler (6’7”, 196) most recently suited up for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League, appearing in 13 games this season (all starts) and averaging 13.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 28.9 minutes. On Jan. 5 versus Delaware, Windler set an NBA G League single-game record with 33 rebounds to go along with 23 points, two assists and one steal. The 27-year-old has appeared in 26 career NBA G League games (15 starts) across four seasons (2019-24), averaging 13.3 points on 37.8 percent shooting from long distance, to go with 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 27.8 minutes.

The Indianapolis native has appeared in 87 career NBA games across four seasons with New York (2023-24) and Cleveland (2020-23), registering averages of 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.4 minutes. Windler was selected No. 26 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers following four collegiate seasons at Belmont University.

Windler will wear jersey No. 20 for the purple and gold.

Lakers waive Alex Fudge and D’Moi Hodge

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived two-way forward Alex Fudge and two-way guard D’Moi Hodge.

Fudge signed with the Lakers on July 26, 2023, and appeared in four regular season games for Los Angeles, averaging 1.0 points in 3.6 minutes. The 20-year-old played in 10 NBA G League games (two starts) with the South Bay Lakers this season, posting averages of 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.6 blocks in 18.7 minutes.

Hodge signed with the Lakers on July 3, 2023, and appeared in seven regular season contests this season for the purple and gold, averaging 2.0 points in 5.9 minutes. The British Virgin Islands native saw action in 16 games this season for South Bay, recording averages of 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 22.6 minutes.

Lakers win over Hornets features rare Rui Hachimura starting lineup appearance

Per the LA Times:

Who was that masked man who stepped into the Lakers’ starting lineup Thursday and turned what might have been an uncomfortable situation into a forceful bounceback victory over Charlotte during a particularly difficult stretch of a still-difficult season?

With Cam Reddish unavailable against the Hornets because of a sore groin, coach Darvin Ham coyly said before the game he’d play “someone” in Reddish’s place. That “someone” turned out to be Rui Hachimura, who’s still required to wear a face covering after undergoing surgery for a nasal fracture he suffered in November.

The lineup change, born of necessity rather than choice, proved a good one. Hachimura combined with reserves Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Max Christie and Christian Wood to close the third quarter with a 14-5 surge that helped extend what had been a one-point lead at halftime to 19 after three. The same five players also started the fourth quarter, putting enough space between the Lakers and the Hornets (7-22) to allow LeBron James and Anthony Davis to be spectators for the final 12 minutes of an eventual 133-112 romp.

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