As the dust settles from the NBA Draft, teams are quick to scoop up undrafted talent, and the Los Angeles Lakers are no exception. They've made savvy moves by signing AK Okereke and Peter Suder to two-way contracts, a strategic play to bolster their roster depth.
With the NBA allowing teams to carry up to three players on two-way deals, the Lakers are making sure they're not leaving any stone unturned. They've also extended a qualifying offer to Chris Mañon, as noted by Keith Smith of Spotrac, putting them in a strong position to retain his services.
Mañon, who went undrafted in 2025, has become a restricted free agent, giving the Lakers the right to match any offer he might receive from other teams. Should he accept the qualifying offer, Mañon will remain in the purple and gold for another season, with unrestricted free agency on the horizon in the summer of 2027.
Last season, Mañon’s journey with the Lakers began on a two-way contract. While his appearances in the NBA were limited to just nine games, he made a significant impact in the G League with South Bay.
His defensive prowess didn't go unnoticed; he earned a spot on the G League’s All-Defensive First Team and was a close contender for the Defensive Player of the Year. Lakers head coach JJ Redick has often praised Mañon’s defensive potential, hinting at a bright future as an elite stopper in the NBA.
In his 46 games with South Bay, Mañon averaged 11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and an impressive 2.1 steals per game. His shooting stats were solid, posting a 51.2 percent field goal percentage, though there's room for improvement from beyond the arc with a 31.5 percent three-point shooting and a 73.7 percent success rate from the free-throw line.
This offseason, the Lakers have been busy. They've locked in Austin Reaves with a max contract and selected Cameron Carr in the draft, alongside their strategic two-way contract maneuvers. It's clear that the Lakers are not just building for the present but are also keenly eyeing the future, assembling a roster that balances star power with promising young talent.
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