The Los Angeles Lakers have made significant moves to strengthen their center position this offseason, kicking off with the acquisition of Deandre Ayton. Adding to their interior depth, the Lakers have now signed Christian Koloko to a two-way contract, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Koloko, who previously played for the Lakers during the Summer League, has a promising background. Standing at 7-foot-1, he was a second-round draft pick by the Toronto Raptors in 2022 and had a notable college career at Arizona. Over his first season in the NBA, he participated in 58 games with the Raptors, starting 19 of them.
Despite a setback last year due to a blood clot that forced him to miss the entire 2023-24 season, Koloko made a return during the 2024-25 season, contributing in 37 games for the Lakers. His performance included averages of 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, highlighting his potential as a valuable asset.
At 25 years of age, Koloko is poised to leverage the opportunity with the Lakers and looks to become an integral part of the team as they prepare for the upcoming NBA season. His continuity with the Lakers will also be advantageous as he continues to develop his skills and finds his rhythm in a new environment.
Overall, the Lakers’ efforts to bolster their roster, particularly in the center position, reflect a strategic approach that could pay off as they aim for success in the new season.