Los Angeles Lakers

Free-agent center/forward Harry Giles III agreed to a training camp deal with the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, he'll compete for a roster spot on a very bare-bones roster that suffered a lot of injuries last season. Giles didn't play at all in the NBA during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, then came back to play for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers last year. Through 23 total appearances last season, Giles averaged 2.4 points and 1.3 rebounds across 4.3 minutes per game. Knee injuries have been his biggest issue since being drafted 20th overall in 2017, but he may find a depth spot if he can stay healthy and compete through the preseason.

Los Angeles Lakers small forward Cam Reddish (ankle) has returned to full health ahead of the new campaign, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. An ankle injury limited Reddish to 48 appearances last season. He featured just 13 times after the All-Star break and didn't see any action in the playoffs. Reddish finished his debut campaign in L.A. with a 5.4-point scoring average and 2.1 rebounds. He saw big minutes early in the season as a starter, and that likely won't happen in 2024-25, although Reddish could have a chance to earn some extra minutes in the rotation due to injuries. Christian Wood (knee) has been ruled out for the start of the season, and Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) isn't at 100 percent.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Christian Wood (knee) will be unavailable for at least eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his left knee. Wood missed the last two months of last season with a left knee injury, and unfortunately, he won't be available for the start of the new campaign either. The 28-year-old big man averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes with the Lakers last term. Wood is capable of putting up good numbers occasionally, but he doesn't see many minutes in Los Angeles, limiting his fantasy appeal.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) may not be ready to participate in training camp and preseason. The 25-year-old suffered a foot injury in February, and according to Spectrum's Mike Bresnahan, Vanderbilt continues to be troubled by it. "Vando is gonna be interesting," Bresnahan said on the Lakeshow podcast. "I'm not sure he'll be ready for training camp or even for the preseason games. It's a foot injury. He opted not to have a procedure in-season when he got hurt in February." Vanderbilt suited up for only 29 games last season, averaging 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.0 minutes.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Cam Reddish exercised his $2.5 million player option on Saturday. The former Duke Blue Devil had the worst year of his career in 2023-24, averaging 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. He was also limited to just 48 games due to injury. Whether Reddish remains in Los Angeles or finds himself on another team for the 2024-25 campaign, he must see the floor more before earning a spot on fantasy rosters.