NBA Player News

Koloko finished the 2024-25 campaign with averages of 2.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.4 blocks across 9.2 minutes per contest in 37 regular-season appearances off the bench.

Koloko received limited playing time while signed to a two-way deal during the 2024-25 campaign, though he did shoot an efficient 60.6 percent from the field. The 24-year-old also appeared in 12 outings for the G League's South Bay Lakers, during which he averaged 14.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 1.8 assists and 0.6 steals across 29.6 minutes per game. Koloko is set to become a restricted free agent ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Len finished the 2024-25 campaign with averages of 1.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.5 blocks across 8.3 minutes per game over 46 regular-season appearances (seven starts) between the Lakers and the Kings.

Len played only four minutes in two appearances during the Lakers' 4-1 first-round series loss to Minnesota, racking up four rebounds. The 31-year-old big man began the season with Sacramento but was traded to the Wizards and subsequently waived in February. However, he signed a one-year pact with the Lakers in the same month, and he averaged 2.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists across 12.2 minutes per game in 10 appearances (four starts). Len is set to become an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2025-26 season and could be an option for teams seeking frontcourt depth.

Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 blocks in 19.5 minutes over 56 games during the 2024-25 regular season.

Hayes showed obvious improvement in his second year as a Laker, averaging his best scoring total since the 2021 season while setting career highs in both rebounds and assists. However, he struggled to find his footing during LA's first-round postseason series against the Timberwolves, averaging 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in four games before being a healthy scratch for Game 5.

Kleber (foot) recorded two points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) across five minutes Wednesday in the Lakers' 103-96 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series.

After completing his recovery from right foot surgery he underwent in late January, Kleber was cleared to make his Lakers debut in an elimination game. He ended up supplanting Jaxson Hayes in the rotation but still held a minimal role while the Lakers continued to favor small-ball lineups primarily featuring Dorian Finney-Smith at center. The 33-year-old will head into the offseason healthy and could make a case for a larger role off the Los Angeles bench in 2025-26, when he'll be entering the final season of the three-year, $33 million contract extension he signed with Dallas in September 2022.

Landale (knee) finished with two points (1-2 FG) in five minutes off the bench Wednesday in the Rockets' 131-116 win over the Warriors in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series.

Landale missed the Rockets' first three games of the playoffs due to a right knee contusion, but he was cleared ahead of Game 4. He went unused in a 109-106 loss Monday, but he received some playing time along with Houston's other deep reserves in the blowout win. Considering that Landale didn't check into the game until the Rockets were up 29 points with 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter, he's unlikely to be included in the rotation in Game 6 on Friday if that contest proves to be more competitive.

Gobert generated 27 points (12-15 FG, 3-6 FT), 23 rebounds and two blocks over 39 minutes of Wednesday's Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Lakers.

Gobert averaged just 3.5 points and 6.3 rebounds over 26.0 minutes in the first four games of the series, but he dominated the Lakers in Game 5 to advance the Timberwolves into the second round. The performance marked Gobert's 10th career 20-point, 20-rebound game, and it was his first time hitting the milestone in the playoffs. Minnesota will face the winner of Golden State and Houston in the next round.

Hayes will come off the bench Wednesday against the Timberwolves, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

After being in the starting lineup for 36 straight games, Hayes will have a bench role in Game 5, with Dorian Finney-Smith taking his place as a starter. It has been a rough series for Hayes, as he has averaged 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game across only 7.5 minutes per contest despite being in the starting lineup for the previous four games.

Kleber (foot) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Kleber will make his debut for the Lakers on Wednesday after missing the last 43 games while recovering from surgery on his right foot. It remains to be seen whether Kleber will play a significant role in this pivotal Game 5, as it could potentially be the last game of the season for Los Angeles, with JJ Redick's squad facing elimination down 3-1. Before being moved ahead of the NBA trade deadline in the Luka Doncic trade, Kleber played in 34 games for the Mavericks, averaging 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 38.5 percent from the floor and 26.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Jokic amassed 13 points (4-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, 12 assists, two blocks and one steal over 37 minutes during Tuesday's 131-115 victory over the Clippers in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Jokic had an off night by his lofty standards and still managed to post a triple-double. Jamal Murray snapped out of a slump to pour in 43 points, so Jokic was happy to let him and Aaron Gordon do the heavy lifting -- Gordon had 23 points. With the Nuggets holding a 3-2 series lead, the series will shift back to Los Angeles on Thursday.

Kornet had nine points (3-3 FG, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 23 minutes during Tuesday's 120-89 win over the Magic in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Kornet had a minimal role prior to Tuesday, but with Kristaps Porzingis picking up a few fouls and the Celtics running away with this game early, Kornet capitalized on some garbage time. Through five postseason games, Kornet is averaging 3.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 16.4 minutes. He's unlikely to see a spike in playing time as long as Porzingis and Al Horford are healthy.