The Los Angeles Lakers have remained relatively quiet throughout the offseason, with only minor roster changes. However, general manager Rob Pelinka continues to monitor the open market.
As training camp approaches, LA continues to look for depth for the long season ahead. The historic franchise hopes to get back into contention next season, but it must stay healthy.
With Jarred Vanderbilt set to miss the start of training camp and potentially the preseason due to injury, the Lakers pulled the trigger on a trade to add depth to the team’s frontcourt.
“The Lakers and 7-foot-10 center Christian Koloko have reached an agreement, agent Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports said,” Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Saturday. “Koloko should have an opportunity to play a role on the Lakers’ front line after receiving clearance from the league’s fitness panel.”
Koloko played one season with the Toronto Raptors before being medically removed 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 Raptors 905.
The 24-year-old has plenty of potential and if he passes the league’s fitness panel, he’ll have a solid chance of carving out a spot in the Lakers’ rotation.
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