Lakers add 7-footer Christian Koloko

This morning, with college football in full swing, Shams Charania of The Athletic finally broke some Lakers news.

Shams reported that 7-foot Christian Koloko has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

This news came off of last night’s reporting that the Cameroonian big man was finalizing a return to the NBA.

Koloko’s absence from the league was due to a medical issue during his rookie season, where he suffered from a blood clot issue that restricted him from playing.

Thankfully, his health is no longer an issue, as he’ll soon be cleared to play by the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play Panel.

Koloko certainly had his list of suitors, such as the Raptors, Clippers, and Spurs.

Ultimately, Koloko, who played his high school basketball in Southern California, chose to make a home in Los Angeles.

The Koloko We’re Getting

Koloko showed flashes during his rookie season in Toronto as a mobile 7-foot rim-protecting center whose offensive game was starting to come together.

Koloko only averaged 3 points and 3 rebounds on the season, but his advanced numbers tell the story.

His per-36 stats have him averaging 8 points a game, 7 rebounds, and over 2.5 blocks.

These numbers aren’t going to land him an all-star nod, but they might be just the needed boost our frontcourt was so desperately looking for.

Koloko joining the team on more than likely a two-way contract will mean likely splitting time between the Los Angeles and South Bay Lakers.

This means the Lakers will have to send one of their current two-way players home.

Currently, on two ways, the Lakers employ Colin Castleton, fan favorite Blake Hinson, and the summer’s energy guy Armel Traore.

Traore does, at this moment in time, seem like the odd man out, but that has yet to be seen.

Hopefully, Koloko will not only be able to find a new home in Los Angeles but also help the frontcourt and, specifically, Anthony Davis in the process.