The Lakers have signed 22-year-old Carson Cooper to a two-way contract to help address their lack of depth at backup center. They also waived two-way center Lawson Lovering, whom the Lakers signed on Oct. 28.
Cooper, who went undrafted out of Michigan State, played in one game for the Grizzlies after signing a two-way contract with Memphis at the start of this season. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound big man had one point, two rebounds and one assist in just over three minutes in a 136-105 win on Oct. 31.
As a senior at Michigan State in 2025-2026, Cooper averaged 11.1 points on 58.4% shooting, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and one block in 26.8 minutes a game, helping lead the Spartans to the NCAA Sweet 16.
During his four seasons for Michigan State, he averaged 5.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.2 minutes over 137 games.
The Lakers are notably thin at center behind Walker Kessler, whom they acquired in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz in July for two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps on top of a four-year, $130 million deal.
Lakers backup center Kevon Looney is averaging career lows in points (1.6) and rebounds (1.6) in his fewest minutes per game (5.8) since his rookie season.
The Lakers have won six games in a row and have the NBA’s best record at 10-2. They play the Bucks (1-10) on Wednesday in their third game in the last four days.
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