The Los Angeles Lakers have committed to center Colin Castleton with a two-contract for the second consecutive season. It was a clear statement that Los Angeles believes Castleton has untapped potential that it can explore in 2024-25 and possibly beyond.
Summer League can only tell us so much about what a player is poised to do at the highest level, but Castleton is already rewarding the Lakers' faith in him.
Castleton, 24, is a 6'11" and 250-pound Goliath of a center with a 7'3.5" wingspan that permits elite defensive potential. With Los Angeles openly acknowledging the need to improve at the 5-spot, it's easy to see why the low-risk bet of bringing Castleton back for a second season was wagered.
The Lakers may still go the trade route for a potential upgrade at the center position, but Castleton was re-signed for a reason.
At both the California Classic and the Las Vegas Summer League event, Castleton showcased the upside that has intrigued the organization. He was a walking rebound, with improved skill levels as both a passer and a scorer.
It's too soon to pencil him in as the backup to Anthony Davis, but ample reason has been provided to explore that possibility. The stats prove it.
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The Lakers turned to Castleton to anchor the interior during the 2024 Summer League. He did exactly that, controlling the boards in a clear display of the rebounding prowess, as well as his willingness to take on contact, that could earn him a place on the Lakers' roster.
With five double-doubles, Castleton stuffed the stat sheet and grabbed almost every rebound in sight—a compelling fact for the Lakers to consider as one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA.
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Los Angeles finished the 2023-24 regular season ranked dead last in offensive rebounding and second-chance points. That's an alarming truth considering Davis ranked No. 1 in the NBA individually in second-chance points.
After Castleton averaged 3.5 offensive rebounds per game across eight Summer League performances, the value-to-need fit is undeniable.
A Different 3.5
Nothing proved more significant for the Lakers at Summer League than Castleton's emergence as a facilitator. He'd showcased the ability in college and the G League, but he played with a new level of poise and confidence as he floated around the perimeter and passed scorers open in Las Vegas and San Francisco.
Castleton's average of 3.5 assists per game, as well as 4.4 in Las Vegas, offers statistical evidence to support his emergence as a facilitating big who could occupy a compelling role in the Lakers' system.
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The breakout performance that set his fantastic Summer League in motion occurred on July 10 against the Miami Heat. After two dreadful team showings at the California Classic, Castleton went off with 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, four blocks, and two steals.
It's irrational to expect Castleton to play that well on a nightly basis, but it was an example of what his ceiling could look like once he puts it all together. The numbers may dip in that scenario, but the all-around value is nothing short of captivating.
A two-way force of nature who can create offense for himself and others, Castleton opened eyes against Miami—and didn't slow down.
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Entering the July 17 encounter with the Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers had lost five consecutive Summer League games. Castleton put an end to the struggles, going off to the tune of 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals—as well as four offensive boards on 8-of-9 shooting from the field.
It was perhaps the best showing that he had this summer, with an assertiveness on offense that drove the team to victory despite being without Dalton Knecht. He was aggressive along the interior and played wonderfully as the proverbial hub of the Lakers' offense.
As Redick prepares to play through Davis in 2024-25, having a backup who can fill a similar offensive role for spot minutes off the bench would be a dream outcome.
If Summer League is a sign of things to come, then Castleton could be that player.