The Los Angeles Lakers are set to part ways with a longtime center.
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According to Shams Charania of ESPN, LA will waive two-way signing Christian Koloko. The veteran big man had been with the Lakers since the 2024-25 season. Los Angeles is looking to try out South Bay Lakers G League standout Drew Timme on a bigger stage.
It was announced days ago that Timme would take up one of the Lakers’ three two-way deals, and given that all were occupied, it was clear someone would be on his way out.
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As Charania notes, Timme has been averaging 25.2 points, 8.0 boards and 4.0 dimes while with the South Bay Lakers. Clearly, the Lakers want to give him a closer look.
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Koloko was initially brought in as center insurance last season behind oft-injured then-starting five Anthony Davis and raw rim-roller Jaxson Hayes. He became more critical as a deep-bench emergency option when the Lakers flipped Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in their no-brainer blockbuster deal to acquire five-time All-NBA First Team superstar guard Luka Doncic.
Los Angeles solved its center problem this summer, inking former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton to a two-season, $16.2 million agreement with a player option in 2026-27. Hayes and Doncic trade throw-in Maxi Kleber are the two legitimate center-sized options on the bench behind Ayton, while 6-foot-8 forward Rui Hachimura and 6-foot-9 forward Jarred Vanderbilt can play some small-ball center minutes, essentially making Koloko superfluous.
This story will be updated…
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