History of South Bay Lakers in Timeline

The South Bay Lakers are a professional basketball team competing in the NBA G League, based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2006 as the Los Angeles D-Fenders, they are owned by the Los Angeles Lakers, making the Lakers the first NBA franchise to own a D-League team. The team rebranded as the South Bay Lakers after the 2016–17 season, relocating their home games from the Toyota Sports Center to the UCLA Health Training Center, which also serves as the practice facility for the Los Angeles Lakers.

June 5, 2006: "Breakers" Emerged as the Winner

On June 5, 2006, in a "name the team" contest, "Breakers" emerged as the winner and "D-Fenders" the runner-up.

July 26, 2006: Team Announced as D-Fenders and Unveiled Logo

On July 26, 2006, after learning that a local basketball team already used the name "Breakers", the Lakers organization announced the team as the D-Fenders and unveiled its logo.

2006: Team Founded as Los Angeles D-Fenders

In 2006, the Los Angeles D-Fenders were founded as an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. The team is owned by the Los Angeles Lakers, marking the first time an NBA franchise owned a D-League team.

2006: Debut Season in the Western Division

In their debut season, 2006–07, the D-Fenders competed in the Western Division and finished with a 23–27 record.

April 1, 2007: Jordan Farmar Played in NBA and D-League Game in Same Day

On April 1, 2007, Jordan Farmar became the first player in history to play in an NBA game and a D-League game on the same day.

2007: D-Fenders Qualify for Playoffs

In the 2007–08 season, the D-Fenders improved to 32–18, qualifying for the playoffs. Stephane Lasme shared the D-League Defensive Player of the Year Award, received an All D-League Honorable Mention, and was selected for the All-Star Game. Jelani McCoy was named All D-League Third Team and selected to the All-Star Game. Panaggio was named the All-Star game head coach. Coby Karl became the 2nd player in history to play in an NBA game and a D-League game in the same day.

2008: Panaggio Returns as Head Coach

In the 2008–09 season, Dan Panaggio returned for his third and final year as head coach.

December 1, 2009: Orien Greene Makes Eight Steals in One Game

On December 1, 2009, Orien Greene made eight steals in one game against Utah.

2009: Chucky Brown Becomes New Coach

For the 2009–10 season, the D-Fenders brought in Chucky Brown as the new coach. Brown previously served as the Assistant Head Coach in the D-Fenders' inaugural season.

May 2010: D-Fenders Announce They Would Not Field a Team

In May 2010, the D-Fenders announced that they would not field a team for the 2010–11 season. Coach Brown's contract was not renewed and Assistant General Manager Bonnie Jill Laflin was released. In the absence of the D-Fenders fielding a team, the Lakers affiliated with the Bakersfield Jam.

June 9, 2011: D-Fenders Announce Return and New Location

On June 9, 2011, the D-Fenders announced they would return for the 2011–2012 campaign and would play home games at a new location: the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.

August 18, 2011: Eric Musselman Announced as New Head Coach

On August 18, 2011, the D-Fenders announced Eric Musselman as their new head coach. Musselman had previously served as head coach for the NBA's Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors.

December 21, 2012: Telecast Agreement with TWC SportsNet Channel

On December 21, 2012, the D-Fenders announced a telecast agreement with TWC SportsNet Channel, which is now known as Spectrum SportsNet.

2012: Reggie Theus Becomes Head Coach

For the 2012–13 campaign, the D-Fenders had Reggie Theus, former NBA Sacramento Kings Head Coach, as their new head coach. The Laker Girls decided to stay on and once again performed at all home games.

2012: NBA Lockout and Lakers Overhead Cuts

In 2012, the good news was tempered by the looming NBA lockout and a desire by the Lakers organization to cut overhead. D-Fender General Manager Ronnie Lester's expiring contract was not renewed along with some other 20 Lakers staffers.

May 2013: Mark Madsen Named Head Coach

In May 2013, the D-Fenders named former NBA player Mark Madsen as head coach.

January 10, 2014: Manny Harris Sets Franchise Record with 49 Points

On January 10, 2014, Manny Harris posted 49 points against the Idaho Stampede, setting a then Los Angeles D-Fenders franchise record.

January 31, 2014: Terrence Williams Sets New Franchise Record

On January 31, 2014, Terrence Williams scored 50 points to set a new D-Fenders franchise record.

February 5, 2014: D-Fenders Set NBA D-League Record with 26 Three-Pointers

On February 5, 2014, the D-Fenders set an NBA D-League record with 26 three-pointers made along with a franchise record 155 points scored.

February 8, 2014: Harris Sets New Franchise Scoring Record

On February 8, 2014, Manny Harris again set a new franchise scoring record, this time with 56 points.

August 28, 2014: Phil Hubbard Hired as Head Coach

On August 28, 2014, the D-Fenders hired Phil Hubbard as head coach.

2015: Jabari Brown Leads League in Scoring

In 2015, Jabari Brown finished as the league's leading scorer with 24.4 points per outing. Brown joined Vander Blue and Roscoe Smith as members of the 2015 All-Star Game.

2015: Casey Owens Named Head Coach

In 2015, after Conner Henry left, Casey Owens was named the head coach of the D-Fenders. Los Angeles eventually advanced to the NBA D-League finals for the second time in franchise history, even as the team finished with a 27–23 regular season record.

September 12, 2016: Coby Karl Added as Head Coach

On September 12, 2016, the D-Fenders announced the addition of Coby Karl as the team's head coach prior to the 2016–17 season.

2016: Team Renamed South Bay Lakers

In 2016, the Los Angeles D-Fenders were renamed the South Bay Lakers after the 2016–17 D-League season, coinciding with the move of home games to the UCLA Health Training Center.

2016: D-Fenders Season

In 2016-2017 season Coby Karl coaches the D-Fenders

April 8, 2017: Newly Re-branded Club Unveiled Marks

On April 8, 2017, the newly re-branded club unveiled its primary and secondary marks.

April 9, 2017: D-Fenders to Re-brand as South Bay Lakers

On April 9, 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that the D-Fenders would be re-branded as the South Bay Lakers at the conclusion of the 2016–17 season and the playoffs and that they were leaving the Toyota Events Center and moving into the new UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, which would also serve at the Lakers new practice facility.