Details Emerge on Lakers’ Lawson Lovering Contract and Two-Year Terms

Lakers Add Center Depth

The Lakers brought in Lawson Lovering on a two-way deal. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported the signing on Wednesday, and Keith Smith of Spotrac said the agreement runs for two years.

The team’s center depth has drawn concern outside of starter Walker Kessler. Kevon Looney has not met expectations early in the season, adding to the need for a dependable backup. To create a two-way roster spot, Los Angeles waived forward AK Okereke.

Lovering’s College and Pro Path

Lovering, 23, is from Wyoming and played college basketball at Colorado and Utah. The 7-foot center went undrafted after the 2025 season and joined the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate.

In 13 games with the Hustle, he averaged 8.9 points and 7.8 rebounds. He signed a 10-day contract with Memphis in February 2026 and appeared in two games, averaging 7.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks.

G League Role and NBA Limits

Across more than 30 Hustle games, Lovering averaged 7.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.7 steals in 26.8 minutes per game. Before the 2026-27 season, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Grizzlies.

Lovering is set to begin with the Coachella Valley Lakers. Given the Lakers’ backup-center situation, he could be called up to the NBA team sooner rather than later.

Two-way deals may run for up to two years and cannot include options, extensions or signing bonuses. Players on such contracts can be active for up to 50 regular-season NBA games each season; if Lovering remains on a two-way deal throughout the season, he cannot play in the playoffs.