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

[bluerap23]

He’s signing a 2-way. If we wanted him that badly we could have given him the last roster spot so cutting him last year had nothing to do with it. They obviously don’t think that highly of him atm.

[Scase]

We released him, but made sure his contract was paid out in full. I'm sure we gave him some much needed contacts instead of leaving him high and dry.

Not gonna lie. Feeling a bit spurned here.

Lmao what? We paid out what we were contractually obligated to pay him. We paid out the only guaranteed year of the deal, we did nothing more than what was legally required by the CBA. Get outta here with this junk.

Either we didn't offer him what he wanted, or he decided that playing in LA, playing with Lebron, likely making/playing in the playoffs, and having a legit amount of minutes, was better than playing here and being on a crappy team.

Or realistically, both.

[GLF]

He’s signing a 2-way. If we wanted him that badly we could have given him the last roster spot so cutting him last year had nothing to do with it. They obviously don’t think that highly of him atm.

How do you know he’s signing a two way? Shams never stated what the deal was

[pbernardi]

He’s signing a 2-way. If we wanted him that badly we could have given him the last roster spot so cutting him last year had nothing to do with it. They obviously don’t think that highly of him atm.

Bruno Fernardo has a non-guaranteed deal, which becomes guaranteed if he is not cut until the opening night.

So, I am quite sure they are reserving this last roster spot for him. If he sings elsewhere, we still have Bruno.

[CazOnReal]

re: The last roster spot

I wouldn't be too sure Bruno has it even in spite of this news since the front office is very likely going to trade Bruce Brown. If they're doing a 2:1 then that last roster spot/flexibility becomes important should such a deal arise.

[Mr Funk]

F*ck 'em.

So we still need a backup centre. Carlson and Fernando simply won't cut it. And please no Olynyk playing the backup five, it's unwatchable and simply horrid.

[Tom_Foolery]

Wish him the best.

To be honest, I'm kind of glad he's moved on. I don't know what most of you see in him.

No slight, just the numbers don't justify the attachment to him.

[Reeko]

I guess he figured he couldn't compete with Chomche going forward.

[djsunyc]

it's possible he found better healthcare for his needs in the US, more specifically LA.

[TorontoBarneys]

it's possible he found better healthcare for his needs in the US, more specifically LA.

Plus, you know, it's LA... it's absolutely the better destination compared to Toronto, especially if you're wealthy.

[Appostis]

Raptors ****ed up

[Madvillainy2004]

The dumb part isn't us cutting him but there being no rule where we'd keep his rights if he did ever come back to play. Like we lost a RFA as a UFA essentially.

[Duffman100]

The dumb part isn't us cutting him but there being no rule where we'd keep his rights if he did ever come back to play. Like we lost a RFA as a UFA essentially.

100%. Should be similar to Roko Ukic where we get his rights

[Syd-TK3]

Nobody is ever choosing Toronto over LA not to mention rich paul amd the klutch cult running things but I'll very suprised if Koloko turns into a serviceable player in that situation

[Tha Cynic]

Imagine if something like this happened to Barnes lol. How is it that there's no protection for a team who has a player who may not be able to play medically in the NBA? Though I guess that could be abused like in hockey where Vegas and the Lightening have done to keep superstars off their salary cap until the playoffs.

Hopefully this was more the Raptors not being interested and not him actually getting the opportunity to choose the Lakers over the Raptors.

[WiggOuts]

bull. Another small market team losing out on players over stupid rules that don't protect them

Lakers now pick up a free big with potential that someone else invested time in developing. We didn't lose him because we didn't want him, we lost him due to circumstance.

Not a fan of teams that do stuff like this and some teams thrive on it, they don't do their own work, they just wait for opportunities to poach from others

[JShuttlesworth]

Great, now we get to listen to everyone obsess over Chomche instead of Loko

It's the circle of life

[Tom_Foolery]

Kind of weird the raptors let him hang around them the whole summer league, only for him to sign somewhere else.

I wonder if he saw something behind the scene that he didn't like.

[Bank Shot]

Good for Koloko. I hope he sticks and makes some good money.

From a Raps perspective, I'm not losing sleep over this. He's not an NBA player on the offensive end and having a weak rebounder at the five is less than ideal. Rim protection can only take you so far.

[KyRo23]

bull. Another small market team losing out on players over stupid rules that don't protect them

Lakers now pick up a free big with potential that someone else invested time in developing. We didn't lose him because we didn't want him, we lost him due to circumstance.

Not a fan of teams that do stuff like this and some teams thrive on it, they don't do their own work, they just wait for opportunities to poach from others

Doesn’t seem like much bull honestly. He was waived. If you’re going to waive a player, but want him back when it suits you, where is the losing potential for them? It’s a classic wanting your cake and eating it too

This is probably the most fair thing for a player that can happen. Health issues, is waived, comes back and makes his own decision