The South Bay Lakers are making strategic moves to bolster their roster, and their latest acquisition adds some serious size to the lineup. The Lakers' G League affiliate has been busy, and their newest addition is center Malik Williams.
Announced on Friday, the South Bay Lakers secured Williams from the College Park Skyhawks, trading away a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick in the G League Draft. Standing tall at 6-foot-11 and weighing in at 250 pounds, Williams brings an imposing presence to the court.
This season, Williams has showcased his skills in 17 G League games, averaging an impressive 16.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, along with 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Before his stint with College Park, he played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce over two seasons.
Williams also has some NBA experience under his belt, having appeared in seven games with the Toronto Raptors during the 2023-24 season. In those games, he averaged 15.3 minutes, contributing 2.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
His journey to the pros included a solid five-year run at the University of Louisville, where he capped off his college career with averages of 9.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game in his final season.
Williams steps into the G League spot vacated by Kylor Kelley, who has moved on to pursue opportunities in the Philippines. While this trade might not shake up the Lakers' NBA roster immediately, Williams' size and skill set make him an intriguing option for the future, keeping him close at hand should the Lakers decide they need his talents.