The Lakers have signed 22-year-old Carson Cooper to a two-way contract, shoring up a rotation that had grown thin at the backup center spot. To make room on the roster, Los Angeles waived two-way center Lawson Lovering, who had joined the team on Oct. 28.
Cooper went undrafted out of Michigan State and appeared in a single game for the Memphis Grizzlies after signing a two-way deal with the franchise earlier this season. In just over three minutes during a 136-105 victory on Oct. 31, the 6-foot-11, 245-pound center recorded one point, two rebounds and one assist.
Cooper enjoyed a productive final collegiate campaign with the Spartans in 2025-26, averaging 11.1 points on 58.4 percent shooting, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and one block across 26.8 minutes per game while helping Michigan State reach the NCAA Sweet 16.
Across his four-year career at Michigan State, Cooper posted averages of 5.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.2 minutes over 137 games.
The addition underscores how short-handed the Lakers are at center behind starter Walker Kessler. Los Angeles landed Kessler in a July sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz, surrendering two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps in addition to a four-year, $130 million contract.
Backup center Kevon Looney, for his part, is producing career lows of 1.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per game while logging 5.8 minutes per outing, his fewest since his rookie season.
For now, winning has papered over those depth questions. The Lakers have won six straight and own the NBA’s best record at 10-2. Next up is a Wednesday clash with the Bucks (1-10), their third game in a four-day stretch.