The Los Angeles Lakers have once again seen one of their former players quickly move on and sign with a new team just weeks after being cut by the 17-time NBA champions.
Most recently, ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Christian Koloko, formerly of the Lakers, has signed a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.
“The Memphis Grizzlies are signing former Lakers and Raptors center Christian Koloko to a 10-day contract via hardship exception, sources tell ESPN,” he wrote in a post on X.
Koloko, the former 33rd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, spent the first season of his career with the Toronto Raptors before spending last year and part of this year with the Los Angeles team, which waived him on November 25th.
Ex-Lakers Big Man Christian Koloko Signs With Grizzlies
While he never held a massive role for the Lakers, there was an expectation that, before the Deandre Ayton signing over the summer, he would get consistent minutes in Los Angeles. However, that never came to fruition. After averaging 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds on 60.6% shooting in 37 appearances for the team last year, he suited up in just two games for the Lakers this season, failing to score in his combined six minutes on the year.
Before being drafted in 2022, Koloko was a solid collegiate player at the University of Arizona for three seasons. He proved to be a top-tier shot blocker, averaging 2.8 blocks in his final season for the Wildcats, along with 12.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in a year in which Arizona won the Pac-12 conference championship with a roster loaded with NBA talent.
While Koloko had shown signs of being an impactful professional player, he has yet to be given an opportunity to play big minutes, as seen with his time with the Lakers.
He was waived less than a month ago to make room for Drew Timme, but Koloko will now join the Grizzlies on a hardship contract, hopeful that he can play decent minutes as they’ve been ravaged with injuries to their other big men.
Luka Doncic And Reaves Reaves Injury Updates
Back to the current iteration of the Lakers, they’ve had a strong start to the year, considering some of the massive questions held over them before the season. The trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves has been solid on the offensive side of the ball, and despite the defensive woes, the team sits fourth in the Western Conference standings at 19-8.
But getting all three on the court together has been an issue, as along with James missing the first month of the season with sciatica, the Lakers have been without Reaves for the past few games with a calf strain. Reaves hasn’t suited up since the team’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, and though he was listed as questionable against the Phoenix Suns, he remains out for the time being.
Additionally, Doncic was ruled out of the Lakers’ latest loss to the lowly Los Angeles Clippers. He went down in the first half with a left leg contusion, and though there isn’t a direct timeline for a return, he could very likely miss the team’s next few games, including their Christmas Day marquee matchup against the Houston Rockets.
Along with the two backcourt stars, the Lakers are currently also without Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Ayton, as each missed the contest against the Clippers with minor injuries. After the Lakers had a fully healthy roster just weeks ago, they now have a decent chunk of their top contributors out for the time being.
Yet still, they’ve played well, and still have James to keep things going if Doncic and Reaves miss more time.
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