Lakers, Koloko agree to deal while awaiting league clearance

The Los Angeles Lakers have reached an agreement on a deal with former second-round pick Christian Koloko, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

The Cameroonian center is still awaiting clearance from the NBA's return-to-play panel. Koloko was sidelined this past season with a career-threatening blood clot issue and must be approved by a fitness panel to be able to participate in basketball activities.

The Lakers' deal with Koloko must be reviewed by the league before he's cleared, sources told Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times. He's expected to sign a two-way contract, Woike reports. However, the team will reportedly have to first part with one of its three two-way players - Colin Castleton, Blake Hinson, or Armel Traore - to open up a spot.

Koloko's former team, the Toronto Raptors, as well as the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs were also in the mix for the 7-foot center, Charania reported Friday.

The Raptors selected Koloko with the 33rd overall pick two years ago. He averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and one block in 13.8 minutes over 58 appearances during his lone NBA campaign in 2022-23.

Koloko spent three collegiate seasons with Arizona. He had a breakout junior year under Tommy Lloyd, earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and an All-Pac-12 first-team selection.