The Los Angeles Lakers are leading the way to sign 7-foot-1 center Christian Koloko, who is set to return to the NBA, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Koloko, 24, is awaiting clearance to play on the NBA's Fitness-to-Play team. Other teams interested in the Cameroonian big man include the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs.
Koloko was selected 33rd overall by Toronto in the 2022 NBA draft out of the University of Arizona. On August 26, 2022, he signed a three-year, $5.24 billion contract with the team.
7-footer Christian Koloko is finalizing his return to the NBA and the Los Angeles Lakers are leading the way to sign him among the Raptors, Clippers and Spurs, sources said. @TheAthletic. Koloko is awaiting clearance to play on an NBA practice squad; however, you are allowed to sign now. pic.twitter.com/9kgzrRZ3qX
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 14, 2024
In 58 games (22 starts) of his 2022-23 rookie season, he averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 13.8 minutes per contest while shooting 48% from the field and -62.7% at the free throw line.
Additionally, in Toronto's 113-104 win over the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 6, 2022, Koloko recorded a game-high 11 points and six blocks in 31 minutes as a starter. He also posted seven rebounds and two assists.
Christian Koloko will join Anthony Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt in the Los Angeles Lakers
According to NBA.com, Koloko made an impact on both ends of the court during his rookie season, finishing with the best average of any Raptors player to appear in at least 30 games.
However, Koloko was waived by Toronto on Jan. 17, 2024, to complete the trade of All-Star forward Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers.
The next day, Koloko was placed on the NBA's Fitness-to-Play panel after a career-threatening blood clot was discovered. He was ruled out permanently due to “respiratory problems” on Oct. 2023.
No team is allowed to request a waiver to sign him until he is medically cleared to play. Although he cannot play or practice with the team, Koloko is still eligible to sign with the organization before the 2024-25 season.
If he ends up signing with the Lakers, he could provide much-needed depth at the frontcourt. Los Angeles already has key defenders in Anthony Davis and Jarred Vanderbilt.
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