The Los Angeles Lakers have retained one among their high developmental defenders, re-signing guard Chris Mañon to a two-way contract, in line with NBA insider Michael Scotto. The transfer retains the 24-year-old within the group after he cut up the 2025-26 season between the Lakers and the South Bay Lakers.
Though Mañon’s NBA position was restricted, he emerged as one of many G League’s premier perimeter defenders. He was named to the 2025-26 NBA G League All-Defensive Crew and completed second in Defensive Participant of the Yr voting after a standout marketing campaign with South Bay.
Mañon appeared in 9 NBA video games for Los Angeles final season, averaging 0.8 factors, 1.1 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks in 5.1 minutes per recreation. His offensive alternatives had been restricted, as he tried simply 0.7 area targets per contest.
With South Bay, Mañon was one of many league’s most efficient two-way guards. In 13 video games, he averaged 14.8 factors, 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.5 blocks whereas taking pictures 51.2% from the sector.
The Lakers’ resolution displays an organizational emphasis on sustaining defensive depth whereas persevering with to develop younger expertise. Two-way contracts enable gamers to separate time between the NBA membership and its G League affiliate, giving prospects alternatives to earn NBA minutes with out occupying one of many commonplace roster spots.
Mañon returns to a considerably reshaped Lakers roster coming into the 2026-27 season. After ending 53-29 final yr, successful the Pacific Division and reaching the Western Convention semifinals earlier than being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles has aggressively retooled round Luka Doncic.
The franchise moved on from LeBron James in the course of the offseason and acquired Walker Kessler to strengthen its inside protection. The Lakers also traded Deandre Ayton, re-signed Austin Reaves to a long-term contract, and added Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili in free company. They additional bolstered their youth by choosing Cameron Carr with the twenty fourth total decide within the 2026 NBA Draft.
