7-footer Christian Koloko is finalizing a return to the NBA | Lakers are the frontrunners to sign him

[BornAgainst]

If Koloko is serious about trying to carve out a long career, not sure why he would choose the Lakers of all teams. Playing behind AD? Not to mention he's gonna be nothing but trade bait when the Lakers unequivocally will look to trade for star players.

Some players get caught up in the "Glamour" and "girls" that Los Angeles would bring them. Sad

He's signed with klutch, klutch is the Lakers, the Lakers also might start AD at the 4 meaning CK could get some run as a starter or back-up 5 or he could be a 3rd string C.
The Lakers currently have 15 guaranteed contracts as well and like 10k from the 2nd apron.
I'm not sure how they sign CK neway, this just might be agent talk

This. And don't forget the ESPN rule: clicks run through the Lakers. So, it makes complete sense for Shams to present this a Lakers story regardless of where Koloko actually ends up.

[goinrogue]

2 thoughts - this sucks but Masai didn’t have a choice and Christian owes us nothing. Putting my bias aside, if I was Christian I would be leaning towards the spurs but maybe he just really wants to live in LA.

We still have Ulrich. Yes he’s young but his potential is through the roof.

[mademan]

2 thoughts - this sucks but Masai didn’t have a choice and Christian owes us nothing.

We still have Ulrich. Yes he’s young but his potential is through the roof.

Definitely did have a choice. But paying a 2nd rounder who isnt playing and may be forced to retire wouldve been seen as odd.

If Koloko signs elsewhere and looks like a genuine rotation piece let alone starter level....this one's gonna hurt.

[HangTime]

The other thing I think was thinking is that "Koloko for Chomche" was negotiated during the draft.

I hope not though.

[HangTime]

2 thoughts - this sucks but Masai didn’t have a choice and Christian owes us nothing.

We still have Ulrich. Yes he’s young but his potential is through the roof.

Definitely did have a choice. But paying a 2nd rounder who isnt playing and may be forced to retire wouldve been seen as odd.

If Koloko signs elsewhere and looks like a genuine rotation piece let alone starter level....this one's gonna hurt.

They guaranteed the rest of his salary last year, and spared him all the losing that was too come.

[Basketball_Jones]

I like the fit on the Lakers as well. They really need a defensive rim protecting C to give Davis some rest and Woods is a pylon that’s unplayable in playoff games.

[mademan]

2 thoughts - this sucks but Masai didn’t have a choice and Christian owes us nothing.

We still have Ulrich. Yes he’s young but his potential is through the roof.

Definitely did have a choice. But paying a 2nd rounder who isnt playing and may be forced to retire wouldve been seen as odd.

If Koloko signs elsewhere and looks like a genuine rotation piece let alone starter level....this one's gonna hurt.

They guaranteed the rest of his salary last year, and spared him all the losing that was too come.

You telling me we paid him AND released him?

[vado]

I’m happy Koloko is playing again but this feels like a low blow. We really should have bird rights or something in a case like this. I know we waived him but we held onto him for like half of last season and invested in him.

[mtcan]

I really don't care much about this if he leaves. I didn't see enough from him as a rookie that would make feel particularly bad if he signs somewhere else. He can block shots, yes but I don't much of anything else beyond that.

Enough has been made that we pretty much gave up a first round pick for what amounts to nothing...it's water under the bridge right now.

I'm more intrigued as to what Branden Carlson can do. He can space the floor and he's a shot blocking threat. That works better for our current situation.

Good luck Christian.

[HangTime]

Definitely did have a choice. But paying a 2nd rounder who isnt playing and may be forced to retire wouldve been seen as odd.

If Koloko signs elsewhere and looks like a genuine rotation piece let alone starter level....this one's gonna hurt.

They guaranteed the rest of his salary last year, and spared him all the losing that was too come.

You telling me we paid him AND released him?

To try and buy some goodwill.

They kept tabs on Him throughout, and it was career threatening.

I personally wouldn't have waived him, but it was probably the best for all parties. With the assumption he'd return, if cleared.

[DreamTeam09]

He's not going to the Lakers. The Lakers would have to make moves & possibly eat dead salary & probably be a 2nd apron team all for a player that hasn't played in a yr

[mieshpal]

Look at his transaction history and put it up against every other executive. People here are delusional. Bashing Masai lol. U have no idea about **** execs

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[AkelaLoneWolf]

I love the usual suspect posters getting triggered over this. This is an obvious ploy by Klutch to get Koloko a decent offer. I wouldn’t even offer him the open roster spot right now. Let him get his sea legs on the g league team first and then we can see.

[Chandan]

Well, at least you guys get to watch nwora for half a season. Freed up roster spot well worth it.

[Spida888]

They guaranteed the rest of his salary last year, and spared him all the losing that was too come.

You telling me we paid him AND released him?

To try and buy some goodwill.

They kept tabs on Him throughout, and it was career threatening.

I personally wouldn't have waived him, but it was probably the best for all parties. With the assumption he'd return, if cleared.

I could be wrong, but I thought his salary was guaranteed for that year and non-guaranteed the following year. So, it wasn't the case of Raps choosing to pay him when they didn't have to.

[Scase]

You telling me we paid him AND released him?

To try and buy some goodwill.

They kept tabs on Him throughout, and it was career threatening.

I personally wouldn't have waived him, but it was probably the best for all parties. With the assumption he'd return, if cleared.

I could be wrong, but I thought his salary was guaranteed for that year and non-guaranteed the following year. So, it wasn't the case of Raps choosing to pay him when they didn't have to.

You are correct. 23-24 was guaranteed, 24-25 was not. People are either misinformed or trying to make the FO sound better than they are.

Now, had we paid out the ENTIRE contract despite it being non guaranteed, then I could understand people getting pissy that he might sign elsewhere. But the people claiming "we did right by him" or some BS like we deserve his bird rights or something, are just mad that we might lose him elsewhere due to our own decisions.

Waiving him was a choice we made, a logical one based on the information at the time. We paid out exactly what the team was required to by the CBA, we didn't do anything more. Koloko should be free to sign where ever he wants, be it here, or otherwise.

[Zeno]

He's not going to the Lakers. The Lakers would have to make moves & possibly eat dead salary & probably be a 2nd apron team all for a player that hasn't played in a yr

Wood just had surgery and is out 8 weeks and reports are Vanderbilt still isn't healthy for camp. They will have to dump someone in trade, likely Wood with a 2nd or even two 2nds. That is unless this is just an exhibit 10 signing but if Koloko does that it likely means we weren't offering any guaranteed money either.

[LoveMyRaps]

Not losing sleep over a 24 year old 3rd string center w/ major health concerns.

Koloko is beyond overrated on this board.

He was an average player at best in his rookie season. A fine defender w/ very limited offensive capabilities.

If he comes back, great.
If he doesn't, who cares.

[LoveMyRaps]

lol Masai keeps showing us how great of a GM he really is

Huh?

[carlosey]

It sucks but later in his career you never know he may come because of the relationship he built and the fact the team did try to help him.

He is still going to be a project that needs to get his body back to NBA level and then pick up from where he left off. Wherever he goes it's still a long term project.