The Los Angeles Lakers are the “leaders to sign” 22-year-old center Christian Koloko, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Sources said the Lakers – in need for frontcourt help – are leaders to sign Koloko, the 22-year-old former Raptors second-round pick. He has been deciding among multiple teams and is now finalizing a commitment on a deal to make his NBA return. https://t.co/QEYw7Oqwvj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 14, 2024
Koloko is reportedly “deciding among multiple teams and is now finalizing on a deal to make his NBA return.” Drafted by the Toronto Raptors with 33rd overall pick in 2022, the Cameroon native was forced to sit out the 2023-24 season due to a blood clotting condition. In 2022-23, the then rookie averaged 3.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 13.8 minutes per game.
Lakers Frontrunners To Sign Christian Koloko Late In Offseason
If signed by the Lakers, Koloko will help shore up an injury-ravaged position group. This week, Los Angeles announced that Christian Wood had undergone arthroscopic knee surgery. He’s now expected to miss all of training camp and the preseason. In addition, Jarred Vanderbilt has yet to recover from a foot injury that kept him out of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
At 7-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Koloko may also be a version of the “big, bruising five” that Lakers head coach JJ Redick has been looking for.
He’s not the type of pivot that’s expected to play through the low post. However, he’s strong and aggressive in the paint. At the defensive end, he plays with that same force, while also displaying terrific shot-blocking instincts.
Due to his inexperience and the fact that he didn’t play last season, expectations should be tempered. Nonetheless, in what’s been a disappointing offseason for the Lakers, they may have found a diamond in the rough. That is, if they manage to keep him out of an opponent’s hands.
