Christian Koloko Update - pg 17. Lakers frontrunners // Raptors, Clippers, Spurs also interested

[WuTang_CMB]

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It’s been almost 16 months since Koloko last saw NBA action. At the time, he looked like part of the future for the Toronto Raptors. The former No. 33 pick in the 2022 NBA draft wrapped up his rookie campaign in Toronto with a 24-minute, seven-point showing against the Milwaukee Bucks. The expectation was he’d be part of the organization's frontcourt rotation moving forward.

But life threw a curveball.



Koloko missed all of last season with a career-threatening blood clot issue. In January, he was waived by the Raptors and referred to the league’s Fitness-to-Play panel where he’s been unable to play ever since.

Suddenly there’s hope Koloko’s career isn’t over yet.


“We had a major breakthrough with his blood clot issue,” Koloko’s agent Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports told me. “They found the issue and he had corrective surgery and has been recovering (for) the last 4 months.”

Koloko, 24, has been off blood thinners for a month, Andrews said, and in roughly two weeks he’ll undergo a scan for blood clots to see how he’s progressed.

“If there’s none, then everything is fine,” Andrews said.




In the meantime, the 7-foot-1 Cameroonian big man has been working out at full strength, Andrews said, and Koloko's team of doctors cleared him about a month ago for five-on-five, full-contract drills.

But there’s still work to do.

Koloko began the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play process three weeks ago and the expectation is it could take a few more weeks before a panel of the league's doctors fully clears him for a return to the NBA.


While there’s been no official clearance yet, Andrew said several teams have begun to register interest in Koloko. The former Arizona Wildcat product held a workout in Las Vegas during Summer League that was heavily attended by league personnel.

Among those teams following Koloko has been the Raptors who have admittedly been “keeping tabs” on Koloko, Raptors president and vice-chairman Masai Ujiri said during his season-ending media availability in April.

Toronto has two open roster spots for training camp, one standard contract spot up for grabs following the departure of Sasha Vezenkov, and nearly $11.4 million to spend this season while remaining under the luxury tax threshold for this year.


“The Raptors have kept very close eyes on his situation,” Andrews said. “And Koloko would have no problem coming back to the Raptors.”

For now, though, all Koloko and his team can do is wait for the go-ahead. He’ll continue training for an opportunity as he prepares for his return.

At some point soon, the hope is that’ll happen.

[pilkoids]

So few more weeks until we find out if he's cleared

Koloko began the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play process three weeks ago and the expectation is it could take a few more weeks before a panel of the league's doctors fully clears him for a return to the NBA.

[Thaddy]

This was old news?

This guy is worse than Doug Smith.

[Thaddy]

So few more weeks until we find out if he's cleared

Koloko began the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play process three weeks ago and the expectation is it could take a few more weeks before a panel of the league's doctors fully clears him for a return to the NBA.

The same article was posted 3 weeks ago?

[WuTang_CMB]

So few more weeks until we find out if he's cleared

Koloko began the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play process three weeks ago and the expectation is it could take a few more weeks before a panel of the league's doctors fully clears him for a return to the NBA.

The same article was posted 3 weeks ago?

The same one where people thought it wasn't credible info because of who wrote the article? There's also new quotes from the agent

[ontnut]

After watching the CAN Olympics, Raps brass have gotta be chomping at the bit to bring Koloko back into the fold. Olynyk can't handle C's for a full NBA season at this point, I don't think.

[Kingsway_fan]

Poetle, Bruno, and Koloko would make a good rotation at the C... cut Olynyk to open another roster spot.

[alienchild]

So few more weeks until we find out if he's cleared

Koloko began the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play process three weeks ago and the expectation is it could take a few more weeks before a panel of the league's doctors fully clears him for a return to the NBA.

So what? Training camp is still almost 2 months away, and he's working out fully. The few weeks sounds like more of a blessing than a problem.

[HangTime]

Poetle, Bruno, and Koloko would make a good rotation at the C... cut Olynyk to open another roster spot.

I don't think Kelly was traded and signed to be a back C.

Let him play the backup PF, his game is better suited for the NBA now then it is for FIBA.

[alienchild]

Poetle, Bruno, and Koloko would make a good rotation at the C... cut Olynyk to open another roster spot.

Olynyk isn't getting cut. Bruno will be.

[Chalky_White]

Poetle, Bruno, and Koloko would make a good rotation at the C... cut Olynyk to open another roster spot.

MLSE definitely ain't eating $26mil in salary to cut Olynyk.

[Chalky_White]

Poetle, Bruno, and Koloko would make a good rotation at the C... cut Olynyk to open another roster spot.

I don't think Kelly was traded and signed to be a back C.

Let him play the backup PF, his game is better suited for the NBA now then it is for FIBA.

Most PFs in the league now are stretch forwards who would roast Olynyk. He doesn't have the footspeed to cover guys on the perimeter.

Its either backup C or out of the rotation.

[Ackshun]

Poetle, Bruno, and Koloko would make a good rotation at the C... cut Olynyk to open another roster spot.

I don't think Kelly was traded and signed to be a back C.

Let him play the backup PF, his game is better suited for the NBA now then it is for FIBA.

Most PFs in the league now are stretch forwards who would roast Olynyk. He doesn't have the footspeed to cover guys on the perimeter.

Its either backup C or out of the rotation.

He wasn’t brought here to guard the perimeter. He’s a high IQ, stretch-big veteran. For most of his career, a net positive on the court. He’s also a bench player, so no reason to sweat. For whatever little minutes he plays, it will open up the court for the other 4 guys. Did I mention high IQ?

He has a role on this team.

[GLF]

Poetle, Bruno, and Koloko would make a good rotation at the C... cut Olynyk to open another roster spot.

I don't think Kelly was traded and signed to be a back C.

Let him play the backup PF, his game is better suited for the NBA now then it is for FIBA.

Most PFs in the league now are stretch forwards who would roast Olynyk. He doesn't have the footspeed to cover guys on the perimeter.

Its either backup C or out of the rotation.

I don’t think people talk enough about this. I understand we don’t want him playing C because he’s a horrible rim protector and rebounder, BUT he would also be horrible on defence guarding the 4 as well. He would have to guard on the perimeter a bit more and move around the court a bit more on defence and he doesn’t have the foot speed for that at all. So I think no matter what he’s gonna be a big negative defensively.

[Raptorfan2012]

Poetle, Bruno, and Koloko would make a good rotation at the C... cut Olynyk to open another roster spot.

Why cut Kelly when you can cut Ochai (only 1 year left) or Boucher (also 1 year left and seems to be in Darko's dog house).

[YogurtProducer]

I don't think Kelly was traded and signed to be a back C.

Let him play the backup PF, his game is better suited for the NBA now then it is for FIBA.

Most PFs in the league now are stretch forwards who would roast Olynyk. He doesn't have the footspeed to cover guys on the perimeter.

Its either backup C or out of the rotation.

I don’t think people talk enough about this. I understand we don’t want him playing C because he’s a horrible rim protector and rebounder, BUT he would also be horrible on defence guarding the 4 as well. He would have to guard on the perimeter a bit more and move around the court a bit more on defence and he doesn’t have the foot speed for that at all. So I think no matter what he’s gonna be a big negative defensively.

Keep in mind he will play against benches, so other guys will also have a problem keeping up with him spacing the floor.

He is a bench guy - bench guys all have weaknesses. That is why they are not starters or all-stars.

[C_Money]

Poetle, Bruno, and Koloko would make a good rotation at the C... cut Olynyk to open another roster spot.

I don't think Kelly was traded and signed to be a back C.

Let him play the backup PF, his game is better suited for the NBA now then it is for FIBA.

Most PFs in the league now are stretch forwards who would roast Olynyk. He doesn't have the footspeed to cover guys on the perimeter.

Its either backup C or out of the rotation.

Out of the rotation sounds good.

[ForeverTFC]

After watching the CAN Olympics, Raps brass have gotta be chomping at the bit to bring Koloko back into the fold. Olynyk can't handle C's for a full NBA season at this point, I don't think.

Kelly isn't a C, even if the Raptors play him there as a stretch 5.

Also, I expect they will trade Poeltl in the next year or two. We need a rim protecting C in the wings if we want to even contemplate doing that. As Bobby said, the goal right now is to stockpile assets, positional redundancy be damned. Get Koloko, Fernandes, and Chomche and the odds that 1 out of 3 hits in 2-3 years is higher than just 1 of them.

[GP2]

His agent is obviously going to pump it up. Hopefully he clears all the necessary hurdles. Rooting for him.

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

Does he help us more than Carlson at this point? Carlson actually looked good, can shoot. Probably gets as many or more blocks.