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Malik Williams during his time with Louisville in March 2022
On Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers were suddenly forced to reshape their frontcourt depth within their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
South Bay confirmed that center Kylor Kelley had departed the organization via buyout to pursue an overseas opportunity, marking an unexpected midseason exit.
Shortly afterwards, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Kelley had signed with a team in the Philippines, where he is set to join former NBA center Bol Bol.
Kelley had developed into a dependable defensive anchor within the Lakers’ developmental system over the past two seasons, establishing himself as one of the G League’s premier rim protectors.
His sudden departure left a clear void in South Bay’s frontcourt, prompting the Lakers to act quickly to address the loss.
Lakers Move Quickly to Add Center Following Sudden Departure
In response to Kelley’s exit, South Bay acquired center Malik Williams from the College Park Skyhawks in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick. The move strengthened their interior depth with an experienced and versatile big man.
Williams, 27, entered the professional ranks with notable pedigree, having been ranked as a five star recruit out of high school by both ESPN and 247Sports.
In his first two appearances with South Bay, the 6-foot-11 center immediately showcased the skillset that made him a highly-regarded prospect, seamlessly integrating into the Lakers’ developmental system.
Thrust into the lineup for a back-to-back set against the Texas Legends on Friday and Saturday, Williams wasted no time making an impression.
In his debut, he scored 16 points in just 20 minutes, shooting an efficient 6-of-12 from the field while knocking down an impressive four three-pointers.
He complemented his scoring with eight rebounds, one assist, and one block as South Bay secured a commanding 127-105 victory.
Just 24 hours later, Williams logged 27 minutes against Texas and finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, and one block.
Although his shooting cooled, going 4-of-11 overall and scoreless from three point range, he grabbed three offensive rebounds and narrowly missed a double-double.
Most importantly, his presence contributed to a 104-99 win, extending South Bay’s winning streak to three games and strengthening their position in the G League playoff race at 13-8.
While Kelley built his reputation primarily as a defensive specialist, Williams offers a more complete frontcourt profile, combining perimeter shooting, rebounding, and defensive versatility.
Williams Strengthens Lakers Developmental Pipeline With Proven Production
Williams joins a South Bay roster already rich in promising talent, including two-way players Drew Timme, Nick Smith Jr., and Chris Manon, along with G League standout RJ Davis and frequent assignees Bronny James and Adou Thiero.
He began the season with the Atlanta Hawks’ G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, and later earned a two-way contract with Atlanta before being waived in January.
Despite the setback, Williams continued to produce at a high level and remained one of the most productive big men in the G League.
Across 31 appearances this season with College Park and South Bay, Williams is averaging 15.9 points, 10 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 40.1% from the field and 31.9% from three-point range on 6.6 attempts per contest.
His impact has been significant across the league. His 310 total rebounds rank seventh overall, his 42 blocks place him 16th, and his 66 made three pointers rank third among centers.
After going undrafted in 2022 following a four year collegiate career at Louisville, Williams gained professional experience overseas in Poland and with the Miami Heat’s G League affiliate before earning an NBA opportunity with the Toronto Raptors.
In seven NBA appearances during the 2023-24 season, he averaged 2.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game.
His most notable outing came against the Brooklyn Nets, when he recorded seven points and 14 rebounds, including five offensive rebounds, highlighting his ability to compete physically and impact the game at the NBA level.
With Kelley’s departure creating unexpected uncertainty, the Lakers moved decisively to reinforce their developmental pipeline.
Williams’ early performances and proven production suggest he could become a valuable asset within the organization, offering both immediate stability for South Bay and potential frontcourt depth for Los Angeles moving forward.