The Los Angeles Lakers have been actively looking for a dependable heart to enhance Anthony Davis, who has repeatedly expressed a want to play alongside a standard large man quite than manning the middle place full-time. With Christian Wooden sidelined resulting from knee surgical procedure, the Lakers’ want for frontcourt depth has change into much more urgent as they put together for the 2024-25 NBA season.
In line with Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers have emerged because the frontrunners to signal former Toronto Raptors heart Christian Koloko. Charania studies that Koloko, who has been fielding curiosity from a number of groups, is finalizing his choice, with the Lakers because the doubtless vacation spot.
The 22-year-old has been recovering from a severe blood clot difficulty that sidelined him final season, however he’s now within the course of of constructing his return to the NBA.
The Lakers have a well known dilemma: Anthony Davis is their most suitable choice at heart, however he has repeatedly expressed a want to not play the 5 full-time. Final season, Davis performed 97% of his minutes at heart, a job that takes a toll on his physique and limits his effectiveness because the season progresses.
With Wooden already sidelined resulting from knee surgical procedure, the Lakers are left skinny on the heart place, including urgency to bolster their frontcourt depth.
Koloko might be the right match. At 7’1″, his dimension and defensive talents would enable him to soak up a lot of the physicality within the paint, one thing Davis has lengthy requested. As a rookie with the Raptors, Koloko averaged 3.1 factors, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in just below 14 minutes per recreation.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Christian Koloko, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Whereas these numbers may not bounce off the web page, his defensive presence was important—he completed with the most effective internet ranking amongst Raptors gamers who appeared in not less than 30 video games. Koloko’s potential to guard the rim, mixed along with his mobility, would complement Davis’ talent set whereas giving the Lakers a extra conventional large man of their lineup.
Koloko’s potential signing would additionally add depth behind Jaxson Hayes, who has but to show himself as a dependable associate for Davis. Final season, lineups that includes each Davis and Hayes posted a disappointing -9.4 internet ranking, elevating questions on whether or not Hayes may be the long-term reply at heart.
By signing Koloko, the Lakers can experiment with totally different frontcourt mixtures, easing the burden on Davis and giving head coach Darvin Ham extra flexibility.
The Lakers’ pursuit of Koloko additionally alerts their recognition that extra substantial strikes could also be wanted later within the season. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the Lakers have their eyes on different conventional facilities, equivalent to Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards, who might change into out there after December 15.
Valanciunas would deliver a wealth of expertise and offensive versatility, notably along with his potential to attain within the put up and house the ground along with his 34.8% profession three-point taking pictures.
Nevertheless, the Lakers will doubtless face stiff competitors for Valanciunas and different veteran facilities.
Within the meantime, Koloko provides a low-risk, high-reward choice for the Lakers. If he returns to full well being, the Lakers might safe a useful defensive anchor who matches their instant wants with out sacrificing future property.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Christian Koloko, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The group’s entrance workplace, led by Rob Pelinka, might be intently monitoring Koloko’s medical clearance whereas weighing different commerce choices, however Koloko’s youth and potential make him an intriguing addition to the roster.
If Koloko does signal with the Lakers, he’ll be a part of a frontcourt already that includes elite defenders like Davis and Jarred Vanderbilt, doubtlessly making the Lakers probably the greatest defensive groups within the league.
Extra importantly, Koloko’s presence would enable Davis to play extra minutes at energy ahead, a place the place he thrives, and assist Los Angeles handle the workload of its famous person large man.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Christian Koloko, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Because the Lakers look to construct on final season’s success, including Koloko might be a wise transfer that addresses a obtrusive want whereas preserving their potential to amplify trades down the road.
With free company signings and in-season trades nonetheless in play, the Lakers appear poised to reshape their frontcourt and provides Davis the assist he wants to remain wholesome and efficient all through the season.
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