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Lakers G League Moves to Palm Desert, Renamed Coachella Lakers

5/2/2026

46 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Lakers' G League franchise will move to Palm Desert, be renamed the Coachella Valley Lakers, and play games at Acrisure Arena.
Lon Rosen, president of business operations, said the relocation offers an incredible opportunity.
The team finished 2025-26 at 26-10, earned the No. 1 Conference seed, and lost to the Stockton Kings in the conference finals.
Season ticket deposits of $100 per account, refundable at seat selection, opened Thursday.

History

Historical Context

The NBA G League, launched as the Development League in 2008, has grown through new player pathways. It introduced $125,000 Select Contracts in 2018 and created the Ignite team on April 16 2020, offering elite prospects salaries of up to $500,000. The Lakers’ relocation of their G League franchise to Palm Desert as the Coachella Valley Lakers extends this expansion trend.

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Story summary

The Lakers' G League franchise will move to Palm Desert, be renamed the Coachella Valley Lakers, and play games at Acrisure Arena.
Lon Rosen, president of business operations, said the relocation offers an incredible opportunity.
The team finished 2025-26 at 26-10, earned the No. 1 Conference seed, and lost to the Stockton Kings in the conference finals.
Season ticket deposits of $100 per account, refundable at seat selection, opened Thursday.

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