Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Deandre Ayton: Lakers Must Have More Pride On Defensive End

So far this season, the Los Angeles Lakers have been an outstanding offensive team led by Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James. The defensive side of the ball has been up-and-down, however, with some really rough outings leading to blowout losses.

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The Quiz of the Day

JJ Redick Challenged Luka Doncic & LeBron James To Give More Defensively

Through the first quarter of the 2025-26 season, Luka Doncic has propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to near the top of the Western Conference standings. The Lakers currently sit with an 18-7 record, which is good for third alongside the San Antonio Spurs.

NFL News / Yardbarker / December 18

Puka Nacua's brother arrested for allegedly stealing Lakers rookie's car

Nacua's brother, Samson, has been arrested for allegedly stealing the car of Lakers rookie Adou Thiero.

Cooper Flagg News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

How many of the NBA players to score at least 40 points in a game before turning 21 years old can you name in six minutes?

The 'NBA's youngest 35-point scorers' quiz

The 'Most points in an NBA Christmas Day game' quiz

The 'NBA 10-block triple-doubles' quiz

NBA News / Lakers Nation / December 18

Suns’ Dillon Brooks Accuses LeBron James Of Being ‘Social-Media Junkie’

Throughout his illustrious career, LeBron James has had his fair share of rivals and opponents that would try to get in his head and throw him off by talking trash or being physical with him.

NBA News / Yardbarker

Which NBA teams have the best Christmas Day records?

Christmas and the NBA go hand-in-hand. The day serves for the top hoops league in the world, like Thanksgiving for the NFL. However, while the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are perpetual Thanksgiving participants, the NBA has mixed up the matchups and the teams throughout the years.

Los Angeles Lakers News / The SportsRush / December 18

Former All-Star Confused Why Bronny James Isn’t On The G-League Lakers If Dalton Knecht Is

Bronny James’ path to the NBA was never going to be easy, but it always came with a challenge unlike that faced by most aspiring players. As LeBron James’

LeBron James News / HITC / December 18

Where LeBron James could end up next season, according to Brian Windhorst

LeBron James is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026. At that point, James will have the freedom to pick his next team or decide if it is time to retire.

Luka Doncic News / HITC / December 18

Luka Doncic’s heartwarming holiday gesture for LA Lakers staff included 103 gifts

Luka Doncic will earn the respect of every LA Lakers fan and community member with this! With the holiday season approaching, Luka Doncic decided to make a wonderful overture to his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Last Word On Sports / December 18

Trade Season Begins: Breaking Down The Lakers’ Options

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers enter Christmas in unfamiliar comfort. They sit third in the West with an 18–7 record. This is their strongest early-season position in years.

Los Angeles Lakers News / FirstSportz / December 18

Stealing Lakers Rookie Adou Thiero’s SUV Lands NFL Star’s Brother in Jail

When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Adou Thiero out of Arkansas with the No. 36 overall pick, the idea was that he would be another young gun for the future.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Fadeaway World / December 18

NBA Insider Proposes Smart Plan For The Lakers To Acquire Two Excellent Players In 2026 FA

The Los Angeles Lakers made some impressive moves this offseason by signing solid rotation pieces, including Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

The 'Active NFL 5-passing-TD games' quiz

The 'Last 10-TD season by NFL team' quiz

The '2025-26 bowl game host cities' quiz

Herbert Jones News / Fadeaway World / December 18

NBA Insiders Confirm Lakers Need To Upgrade Their Offer To Land Herb Jones In Potential Trade Deal

The Lakers have been in the market for a while now in search of an elite 3-and-D player. Herb Jones has been a name that has commonly been brought up in that discussion.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 18

Why Kevin Durant says Lakers superstar LeBron James is still improving at nearly 41

As Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James moves through his historic 23rd NBA season, questions about longevity and decline naturally follow. Yet even as the Lakers star forward approaches his 41st birthday, some of the league’s sharpest basketball minds believe James is still evolving, not fading.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Hoops Wire / December 18

Lakers Notes: Luka Doncic, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt

The Lakers have one of the best records in the league. JJ Redick still isn’t satisfied. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Redick has made defense a major point of emphasis, calling on the Lakers to lock in earlier and more consistently.

Adou Thiero’s Car Allegedly Stolen By Rams’ Puka Nacua’s Brother

Los Angeles Lakers wing Adou Thiero is trying to navigate through his rookie season in the NBA, which began with a knee injury and has most recently included his first rotation minutes.

NBA News / Field Level Media / December 17

Lakers looking to ratchet up defense as they take on Jazz

Defensive deficiencies have caused the Los Angeles Lakers some headaches in recent games ahead of Thursday's clash with the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / December 17

Lakers Announce Deandre Ayton News Amid Austin Reaves Injury

Deandre Ayton had one of his best games as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The Lakers secured a 116-114 win over the Phoenix Suns despite missing the services of the injured Austin Reaves.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / December 17

Luka Doncic Dissects Lakers' Defensive Woes After J.J. Redick Meeting

The Los Angeles Lakers have alternated wins and losses in their last six games, a trend that could cause them to fall farther behind in the NBA standings if things don't improve in the coming days and weeks.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Last Word On Sports / December 17

Lakers Seem Unwilling to Trade Veteran Guard Despite Interest

With offseason acquisitions now eligible to be traded, many Lakers fans are clamoring for the team to make a move, and LA appears to be focused on 3-and-D players.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 17

1 deal Lakers must make with 2025-26 trade season underway

The 15th of December officially marked the day that players who signed free agent contracts in the offseason could be traded. With the G League Winter showcase approaching, that’s usually the time that NBA trade winds really start blowing.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 17

JJ Redick: Lakers Have Enjoyed Getting To Know Deandre Ayton

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was recently recognized by the NBA for the work he has done in communities around the world by naming him the recipient of the Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for the month of November.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Hoops Wire / December 17

Lakers searching for perimeter answers under tight cap rules

The Lakers have options. The problem is deciding which ones actually help. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Los Angeles is operating just $1.1 million below the first apron and is hard-capped, meaning flexibility is limited in terms of making trades.

Dalton Knecht News / Lakers Nation / December 17

South Bay Dalton Knecht Dominates In G League Debut

Last year’s first-round pick Dalton Knecht has had a bit of an up-and-down run so far in his young career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The guard has had some outstanding performances, but has also had times when he has been out of the rotation, primarily due to his struggles on the defensive end.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / December 17

Lakers Pressured to 'Tread Carefully' at Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers are in need of a versatile defender if they are to compete in the stacked Western Conference this season. With a bottom 10-ranked defensive rating, the Lakers have struggled to contain opposing offenses, allowing the 17th-most points per game.