NBA officially clears Lakers newcomer Christian Koloko
After a forgettable NBA offseason filled with disappointment due to the lack of moves in NBA free agency and on the trade market, the Los Angeles Lakers headed into the 2024-25 NBA regular season with a lot of questions about their roster, mainly in the frontcourt alongside superstar Anthony Davis.
The team had been scouring the trade market for an option to bring in a big man who could help take the pressure off Davis in the paint, but the storied NBA franchise couldn’t find a suitable option. However, they were able to sign former Toronto Raptors center Christian Koloko, who dealt with a blood clot issue that resulted in him missing all of last season.
Although this seemed like a good move by the Lakers brass, it was risky as they didn’t know when Koloko would get cleared by the league to play, but now that time has come, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko has been medically cleared to play by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel, sources told ESPN.
He will begin practicing with the Lakers and will ramp up to play for the first time since a blood clot issue threatened his career last year.
Koloko’s agent, Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports, confirmed to ESPN that the center will begin full basketball activities this week.
Even though Koloko might not be a game-changer for the Lakers, the team will have another big body at their disposal, which should help moving forward.
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It remains to be seen when Koloko will make his debut for the Lakers, but the team is likely happy he’s been cleared and will be an option sooner rather than later.
