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The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Lawson Lovering to a two-way contract. In a corresponding move, the team waived two-way forward AK Okereke.

Lovering (7-0, 245) appeared in 30 games (26 starts) for the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League last season, averaging 7.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 27.1 minutes per game, while shooting 59.2 percent from the field.

Over four collegiate seasons at Utah (2023-25) and Colorado (2021-23), Lovering appeared in 113 games (86 starts) and averaged 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19.8 minutes.

Okereke signed a two-way contract with the Lakers on July 5.

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign Center Lawson Lovering to Two-Way Contract

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Rafael Castro. In a corresponding move, the team has waived forward William Kyle III.

Castro (6’10”, 224) started all 29 games at George Washington University during the 2025-26 season, averaging 15.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.7 blocks in 27.3 minutes. The 23-year-old was a two-time Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team selection and was named a finalist for the 2025-26 Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Kyle III was signed by the Lakers Sept. 27.

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign Forward Rafael Castro

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guards Meechie Johnson and Chase Ross. Additionally, the team has waived forward Anton Watson.

Johnson (6’2”, 192) started all 32 games at the University of South Carolina during the 2025-26 season, averaging 17.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 31.4 minutes.

Ross (6’5”, 210) started all 32 games at Marquette University last season, averaging 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.3 steals in 33.0 minutes.

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Los Angeles Lakers Sign Meechie Johnson and Chase Ross

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Anton Watson.

Watson (6’8”, 225) appeared in 50 games (34 starts) for the South Bay Lakers during the 2025-26 season, averaging 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 27.3 minutes.

Originally selected 54th overall by Boston in the 2024 NBA Draft, Watson played five seasons at Gonzaga (2019-24), earning All-WCC First Team honors as a senior.

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Lakers Sign Forward Anton Watson

The Lakers today announced a full slate of promotional nights and special recognitions for the upcoming 2026-27 season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Lakers will celebrate Luka Dončić as the 2025-26 NBA Scoring Champion Nov. 1 with a special bobblehead giveaway for fans in attendance. Lakers guard Austin Reaves will be featured as a bobblehead giveaway for the match up Dec. 27.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Throughout the season, the Lakers will honor legends as part of the team’s new League of Stars program Presented by BMO. In its inaugural year, the program will honor Norm Nixon Dec. 14, Paul Westhead Jan.&nbsp;14&nbsp;and Kurt Rambis March 17. Fans in attendance will receive a unique throwback bobblehead of the honoree celebrating the nostalgia and longevity of the&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;legacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Other promotional nights include a Lakers x Dodgers baseball-style jersey giveaway, a 2020 Championship ring replica&nbsp;giveaway&nbsp;and&nbsp;the first-ever Lakers&nbsp;Hello Kitty&nbsp;night.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

On April 9, the Lakers will promote a Phil Jackson bobblehead at the match up versus Minnesota, following the statue unveiling on Star Plaza outside Crypto&nbsp;.com Arena.&nbsp;

See below for individual dates, and click here to find Lakers tickets for the 2026-27 season.

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Lakers Announce 2026-27 Promotional Nights

The Los Angeles Lakers and BMO today announced a long-term partnership naming BMO the exclusive Official Bank of the Los Angeles Lakers. The partnership will bring BMO into some of the team's most visible moments, from training camp and courtside experiences to fan programs and community initiatives across Southern California.&nbsp;

“Over decades, the Lakers have built passionate, generational fandom that starts in Los Angeles and extends everywhere, giving brands access to a star-studded platform of championships and glamour,” said Los Angeles Lakers President and Chief Business Officer Lon Rosen. “Today, we are proud to extend that access to BMO with an extensive, high-value partnership that names BMO the exclusive official bank of the Los Angeles Lakers. Importantly, this landmark partnership signals&nbsp;a paradigm shift&nbsp;for how the Lakers will partner with brands moving forward,&nbsp;building&nbsp;and curating impactful programs to engage fans and serve shared businesses.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The partnership marks a significant new relationship for both organizations, bringing BMO into&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;programs and experiences throughout the year.&nbsp;

“The Lakers bring people together across generations and cultures, creating connections that mirror how we approach our business. Through this partnership,&nbsp;we're&nbsp;excited to support the communities we serve, create memorable experiences for fans, and help more clients make real financial progress,” said President, BMO U.S. Aron Levine. “Southern California is an important growth market for BMO, and this partnership reflects our long-term investment in the region and the opportunities ahead.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Starting with the 2026-27 NBA season, BMO will be part of&nbsp;Lakers&nbsp;experiences&nbsp;both on and off the court, with programs that connect fans,&nbsp;communities&nbsp;and the team throughout the year. Key pillars of the partnership include:&nbsp;

Celebrating Team Performance Lakers Training Camp will be Presented by BMO and the BMO logo will be featured on the Lakers’ newly designed practice jerseys. 

Elevating the Gameday Experience  BMO is the inaugural naming rights sponsor of BMO Courtside Reserve floor seats and club on the event level, to support a new premium gameday experience. 

Honoring a Historic Legacy Starting this season, the Lakers and BMO will introduce a new legacy program honoring the legends who have made the Lakers one of the most decorated franchises in sports. The League of Stars program Presented by BMO will spotlight Lakers Legends throughout the season. 

Engaging Fans Across Southern California Throughout the season, BMO and the Lakers will partner on financial empowerment and small business spotlight programs, engaging the community across Southern California.  

The Los Angeles Lakers will enter their 79th&nbsp;season of competition in October 2026. The Lakers play their home games at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles and practice at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif.&nbsp;

About BMO Financial Group BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of July 31, 2026. Serving clients for more than 200 years, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services across Canada, the United States, and select markets globally. BMO is innovating for business value, by deploying and integrating human, digital and artificial intelligence to personalize client experiences, augment teams, and automate its business responsibly. Driven by its purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and stronger communities. 

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BMO Named Official Bank of the Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers today announced their 2026-27 regular season schedule, presented by Delta Air Lines. The team will tip off its 79th campaign Wednesday, Oct. 21, when it hosts the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.The Purple and Gold will be showcased on Christmas Day for the 28th consecutive season and the 53rd time overall, hosting the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers 25 all-time Christmas Day victories are the second-most in NBA history.The team’s regular season schedule currently includes 80 games, with two additional December contests to be determined based on the results of NBA Cup 2026 Group Play. The Lakers will compete in West Group C alongside the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. Group Play begins for the Lakers Friday, Oct. 30, at Golden State, followed by home games against Portland Friday, Nov. 6, and Sacramento Friday, Nov. 20. The Lakers final Group Play game is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 27, at San Antonio.The Lakers longest road trip of the season spans 12 days from Jan. 28 to Feb. 8 and includes a visit to Madison Square Garden Saturday, Jan. 30, to face the defending champion New York Knicks, followed by a Feb. 2 matchup at the Boston Celtics. The Purple and Gold will close the regular season Sunday, April 11, at home against the Phoenix Suns.The Lakers complete 2026-27 regular season schedule can be found at Lakers.com/schedule.

BROADCAST AND TICKET INFORMATIONThe Lakers will be showcased on national television 34 times during the upcoming season, including 10 games on Amazon Prime, eight on NBC/Peacock, eight on ESPN/ESPN App, five on ABC/ESPN App and three on Peacock.Spectrum SportsNet will serve as the exclusive regional broadcast home for Lakers basketball for the 15th consecutive season. All games can be heard on the team’s flagship radio station, ESPN LA 710 AM, and in Spanish on KFWB 980 AM.Lakers tickets are scheduled to go on sale to the public Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster. Tickets are currently on sale for the team’s Oct. 13 preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas via AXS.com.

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Lakers Announce 2026-27 Season Schedule

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The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard/forward Matisse Thybulle (mah-TEECE THIGH-bull). A two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection (2021, 2022), Thybulle has ranked among the league’s top 20 in steals in four of his seven NBA seasons.

Last season with Portland, Thybulle (6'6", 202) appeared in 30 games as a reserve, averaging 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 16.0 minutes while shooting 39.8 percent from 3-point range. The 29-year-old recorded multiple steals in 18 games and posted at least one steal and one block in nine contests. In 377 career regular season games (124 starts) with Portland (2023-26) and Philadelphia (2019-23), Thybulle has averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.6 steals in 20.6 minutes. He has also appeared in 29 career playoff games with the Trail Blazers (2025-26) and 76ers (2019-22).

Thybulle is one of just eight players to record 100 or more steals in three separate seasons since 2020-21. Since the start of the 2020-21 campaign, he ranks among the NBA's top 10 guards in total steals.

The Scottsdale, Ariz., native was selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by Boston before his draft rights were acquired by Philadelphia. Thybulle played four seasons at Washington (2015-19), where he earned 2019 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honors and was twice named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his collegiate career as Washington's all-time steals leader and set the program's single season-record with 126 takeaways as a senior.

Thybulle will wear No. 26 for the Purple and Gold.