Former Los Angeles Lakers big man Christian Koloko just inked a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Koloko signed a two-way contract with the Lakers ahead of the 2024 season, though blood-clotting issues meant he needed to be medically cleared by the NBA. LA released him earlier this season to make way for their signing of Drew Timme.
Memphis has dealt with a ton of injuries this season. The latest to Brandon Clarke was likely what springboarded their signing of Koloko, who will now step in alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jock Landale to help keep the Grizzlies’ big-man room afloat.
It could be his pathway back into the NBA.
Christian Koloko just signed 10-day with Grizzlies
Koloko hasn’t earned a ton of opportunities throughout the course of his young NBA career thus far, though his health issues have been a big part of that in recent years.
The now-25-year-old first entered the league in 2022, when the Toronto Raptors selected him with the No. 33 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He played 58 games for the Raptors during his rookie campaign, but his sophomore season was wiped out due to his blood clots.
After that, the Lakers swooped in and scooped him up, and he ended up playing 34 games for LA during the 2024-25 season. He didn’t play a ton of minutes, but he still got a chance to get back onto the court.
Over the course of his two seasons with the Lakers, he also got the chance to spend some time in the G League. He appeared in 12 games during his first season and two in his second.
After being waived by the Lakers on November 25, Koloko latched on with the Austin Spurs, the San Antonio Spurs’ G League affiliate, playing two games with the club.
Now, he could have the chance to revitalize his career with the Grizzlies, as they could have actual opportunities to give him due to their injury issues this season.
Memphis is still in the hunt for the Play-In Tournament, so if Koloko can come in and give them decent minutes at the five, it could make him an interesting low-cost option for teams to consider in free agency this summer.
Though Koloko didn’t stick with the Lakers, he still has some talent that can be utilized at the NBA level. And for now, it will be up to the Grizzlies to tap into it.
From there, perhaps he can manage to turn his NBA career around after some tough luck to begin his career.