The Los Angeles Lakers are set to enhance their roster by filling two of their three two-way contract slots with the signings of center Christian Koloko and guard/forward Chris Manon, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Christian Koloko, a 7’1″ center from Cameroon, has been with the Lakers since last season after being made a restricted free agent. He had previously shown potential during his time as a rookie with the Toronto Raptors, where he was drafted 33rd overall in 2022. Unfortunately, Koloko’s 2023/24 season was interrupted by a serious blood clot issue, but after being medically cleared, he resumed his career with the Lakers. Last season, he made 37 appearances, averaging 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, along with his time in the G League where he excelled with averages of 14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game.
Chris Manon, a 6’5″ undrafted guard/forward from Vanderbilt, also joins the team following notable performances during the Summer Leagues with the Golden State Warriors. Manon has a knack for creating turnovers, reflected in his college stats where he averaged 9.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game over four years. In the Summer League, he averaged 9.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in just over 17 minutes per game.
With the addition of Koloko and Manon, the Lakers will officially fill all three of their two-way slots, including center Trey Jemison, who currently occupies the third spot. Although they previously agreed to a two-way deal with Eric Dixon from Villanova, his status with the team may be uncertain now that all contract spots are filled. However, two-way contracts are flexible and do not impact the salary cap, leaving room for adjustments as the season progresses.
Once the contracts are finalized, both Koloko and Manon can participate in up to 50 games this upcoming season, with each set to receive a salary of $636,435 for the ’25/26 season. This development reflects the Lakers’ commitment to building a strong and dynamic roster, showcasing their potential to cultivate young talent for the future.