The Lakers Tendered A Two-Way Qualifying Offer To Chris Manon, And Their Offseason Has The Entire League On Notice

Alright, Seattle fam, you know we're always keeping tabs on the whole sports landscape, right? Even when it's not our Hawks, Kraken, or Mariners, we gotta know what's shaking up the league. And the NBA offseason? It's already straight-up bananas. Latest piece of that wild puzzle dropped yesterday, June 29, 2026: the Los Angeles Lakers tendered a two-way qualifying offer to guard Chris Manon. This isn't just a minor move; it's another wrinkle in what's shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable free agency periods for the purple and gold.

Manon Stays, But What Does It Mean?

So, who's Chris Manon, you ask? This undrafted Vanderbilt guard signed a two-way contract with the Lakers before the 2025-26 season. He saw the court in nine games for the big club, but spent most of his time grinding it out with their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. Tendering this two-way qualifying offer means they want to keep him in the system, a solid move for depth. But don't get it twisted, this is just one tiny piece of a massive, swirling free agency drama engulfing the Lakers organization.

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Player Options, New Faces, and Big Bucks

Beyond Manon, the Lakers are making moves like a chess grandmaster. Veteran guard Marcus Smart, who revived his career in LA, is reportedly declining his $5.4 million player option for 2026-27. Word is, the Houston Rockets are most likely to snag him. Starting center Deandre Ayton exercised his player option for 2026-27. Luke Kennard, a lone trade deadline acquisition last season, fit perfectly and stepped up big in the playoffs. The Lakers already agreed to a monster four-year, $185 million contract with Austin Reaves, reportedly after discussions with the Heat for Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware. They've also added rookie Cameron Carr, a 3-and-D wing. It's a whole lot of comings and goings!

LeBron, AD, and the Implosion Rumors

But let's be real, the biggest earthquake rumbling through the league involves the Warriors and the Lakers' two superstars. Rumors are picking up steam that Golden State is trying to land both LeBron James, 41 now, AND Anthony Davis in free agency. Can you imagine that? They’re trying to recreate the championship magic that brought the Lakers a title. Other players are drawing interest: the Nets and Spurs are reportedly sniffing around Rui Hachimura, and the Lakers themselves are looking to get younger with interest in Ziaire Williams. With significant cap space, they're definitely a team to watch.

So, what does it all mean as free agency officially kicks off on Tuesday, June 30? The Lakers have a ton of unanswered questions and decisions to make. The Chris Manon two-way offer is just a footnote in what's already a wild ride, but it shows they're not ignoring any part of the roster. Keep your eyes peeled, Seattle, because this NBA offseason is far from over, and the fallout from these Lakers moves could shake up the entire league. You know we'll be here, watching every twist and turn!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.