The Lakers are the frontrunners to sign free agent big man Christian Koloko, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter links). According to Charania, Koloko is also drawing interest from the Clippers, the Spurs, and his former team, the Raptors.
Koloko, who is still finalizing his decision on where he’ll sign, is on the comeback trail after missing all of the 2023/24 season due to a blood clot issue.
Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy reported in July that the seven-footer had received medical clearance to resume playing, while agent Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports said last month that his client had a “major breakthrough” with his blood clot issue, which was addressed via corrective surgery.
Koloko held a workout for potential suitors during the Las Vegas Summer League in July and has been able to participate in five-on-five, full-contact drills this offseason as he attempts to get back to 100% health. Chris Johnson, a trainer who has worked with a number of NBA players, posted a YouTube video in August of Koloko taking part in a scrimmage alongside Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jalen Johnson, Jordan Clarkson, Delon Wright, and several other active NBAers.
Although Koloko is still awaiting formal clearance from the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play panel, it sounds like he continues to trend in the right direction. And according to Charania, the 24-year-old is technically eligible to sign with a team before being cleared by that panel.
The 33rd overall pick in the 2022 draft, Koloko appeared in 58 games for the Raptors as a rookie, averaging 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 13.8 minutes per game across 58 appearances (19 starts). He was the Pac 12’s Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player in his final college season at Arizona in 2021/22
The Lakers will be without center Christian Wood this fall after the big man underwent knee surgery this week that is expected to sideline him for at least eight weeks, so they could use more depth in their frontcourt. However, Los Angeles is currently carrying 15 players on fully guaranteed standard contracts and is narrowly operating below the second tax apron.
It’s unclear if the Lakers’ plan would be to sign Koloko to a standard deal or perhaps to bring him on a two-way contract. Inking him to a two-way pact would require waiving one of Armel Traore, Blake Hinson, or Colin Castleton, who currently occupy L.A.’s two-way slots.
The Clippers and Spurs also have 15 players on guaranteed standard contracts, while the Raptors have 14 players on guaranteed deals, plus Bruno Fernando on a non-guaranteed salary. The Clippers have a two-way slot open; San Antonio and Toronto don’t, for now.
Could be a great decision to be the back up for Wemby…
If he sees himself as more then that he can ride the pine behind AD for a few years… At least he’ll get 20-30 starts a season…
Games played 2024:
AD-76
Wemby – 71
This is a tired narrative
Yeah…but he had 56, 40 and 36 in 2023/22/21
AD is an injury prone player and not seeing that is simply lying to yourself
It’s the fact that it is a knock against him and no other superstar. Yes he has a bad injury history. So has KD, Kawhi, PG, Embiid, and countless others.
Oh wow, one season sure makes a huge difference on narrative
Yes, AD is injury prone. Would be a good idea for the Lakers to get a defensive big man with decent potential. Spurs could use him as well.
Raptors are the best choice at minutes
Agreed, Raps probably give him a guaranteed Roster spot
Lakers to sign Koloko, then waive him two min later!
He has a serious blood clod issue. Seems they should be looking into this first.
That’s all lakers did? No improvement