yardbarker
Only four games into the season, the Los Angeles Lakers are already tweaking their roster. On Wednesday, the team announced that two-way player AK Okereke has been waived. In a corresponding move, Los Angeles signed 7-foot center Lawson Lovering to a two-way contract, as first reported by Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype.
Okereke, who went undrafted after finishing his college career at Vanderbilt, did not appear in any games for the Lakers this season. Lovering, 23, played collegiately at Colorado before transferring to Utah and was also undrafted in 2025.
Lovering saw action in two games as a rookie with the Memphis Grizzlies, highlighted by an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double in a Feb. 20 matchup against the Utah Jazz. He also spent time in the G League last season with the Memphis Hustle, averaging 5.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in just under 27 minutes per game across 11 appearances.
Key Analysis
The Lakers acquired star center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz over the summer, but the backup center spot has been a glaring issue through four games. Veteran Kevon Looney, a former Golden State Warriors standout, has logged minutes but made minimal impact so far. Lovering is expected to shuttle between the NBA team and the G League's Coachella Valley Lakers. Los Angeles has opened the season with a 3-1 record.
Originally reported by yardbarker.