Brief
Lakers Add William Kyle III and Cole Swider, Waive Meechie Johnson and Chase Ross Ahead of 2026 Training Camp
The roster move comes as the Lakers look to deepen depth for the upcoming season, with new signings joining a lineup that already features Luka Dončić and other key players.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Monday that they have signed forwards William Kyle III and Cole Swider, while waiving guards Meechie Johnson and Chase Ross. The moves are part of the team’s effort to add depth ahead of training camp, which begins this week and will lead into the first preseason game on Oct. 5 against the Sacramento Kings.
New Signings
- William Kyle III – A 6‑8 forward who started all 32 games for Syracuse in 2025‑26, averaging 8.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, the latter leading the ACC.
- Cole Swider – A 6‑5 forward who spent his final collegiate year at Syracuse in 2021‑22, then signed a two‑way contract with the Lakers as an undrafted free agent. He spent three seasons moving between the NBA and the G League, and played the 2025‑26 season with Anadolu Efes in Turkey, averaging 7.6 points and 1.6 rebounds.
Players Waived
- Meechie Johnson – Guard, waived as part of roster adjustments.
- Chase Ross – Guard, waived as part of roster adjustments.
Updated Depth Chart
With the new additions, the Lakers’ depth chart now lists:
- PG: Luka Dončić, Collin Sexton, Bronny James
- SG: Austin Reaves, Cameron Carr, Matisse Thybulle
- SF: Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero, Cole Swider
- PF: Jake LaRavia, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jarred Vanderbilt, William Kyle III
- C: Walker Kessler, Kevon Looney, Kyle
The Lakers are aiming to integrate the new faces over the next week before the first preseason game on Oct. 5 against the Sacramento Kings.
Key facts
- Lakers signed William Kyle III and Cole Swider (bleacherreport.com)
- Lakers waived Meechie Johnson and Chase Ross (bleacherreport.com)
- Kyle averaged 8.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 2025‑26 (bleacherreport.com)
- Swider averaged 7.6 points and 1.6 rebounds for Anadolu Efes in 2025‑26 (bleacherreport.com)
- First preseason game on Oct. 5 against Sacramento Kings (bleacherreport.com)
Background
The moves follow a series of roster changes as the Lakers prepare for a season without LeBron James, with Luka Dončić stepping into a leadership role and the team building a new lineup.
Why it matters
The additions aim to provide depth and flexibility for the Lakers as they navigate a new era without LeBron James.
What happens next
The team will focus on integrating the new players during training camp and the upcoming preseason schedule.
Sources
- [1] bleacherreport.com — originally reported as “Lakers' New Signings Announced, Updated Roster & Depth Chart for Luka Doncic, LA in 2026 NBA Season”
