The Los Angeles Lakers remained mostly quiet throughout the offseason with minor moves to the team’s roster. However, the team’s general manager Rob Pelinka continues to scan the open market.
As training camp approaches, LA continues to search for depth for the long season ahead. The historic franchise hopes to return to contention this upcoming season, but they must remain healthy.
With Jarred Vanderbilt reportedly in line to miss the start of training camp and potentially preseason with an injury, the Lakers pulled the trigger on a move to add to the team’s frontcourt depth.
“The Lakers and seven-foot center Christian Koloko have agreed on a deal, agent Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports says,” Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Saturday. “Koloko is expected to have an opportunity for a role in Lakers frontcourt after he receives clearance from the league’s fitness panel.”
Koloko played one season with the Toronto Raptors before being shut down by the medical team after being diagnosed with blood clots. The Arizona product saw limited minutes in the 53 games he played with Toronto, but the second-round pick showed plenty of potential with the team’s G-League affiliate. The big man averaged 12.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 12 games with the Raptors 905.
The 24-year-old has plenty of potential and if he is cleared by the league’s fitness panel, he’ll have a solid chance to carve a role for himself in the Lakers rotation.
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