Lakers make first free-agent signing of the summer

The Los Angeles Lakers have remained disciplined during the free-agency period. Rob Pelinka and the front office avoided the temptation to add new talent to the team's roster. However, on Saturday, the Lakers reportedly made their first summer addition, signing 24-year-old Christian Koloko pending clearance from the NBA's performance panel. The Athletic's Shams Charania broke the news on X.

There is no reporting on the type of contract Koloko has signed or how many years he's signed for. However, it's fair to assume the deal is either one year or has a team option for additional years, depending on how he performs and his long-term health.

Earlier on Saturday, Charania reported that Koloko intended to return to the NBA for the upcoming season. He missed the 2023-24 campaign due to a blood-clot issue that made him ineligible until cleared. As such, Koloko missed his sophomore season after impressing as a rookie for the Toronto Raptors. He reportedly had interest from the Raptors, Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and LA Clippers.

Koloko will join a Lakers team with a clear gap in their frontcourt. As such, he can fight for a legitimate spot in the rotation, ensuring plenty of developmental minutes to help him take his game to another level. Furthermore, he will also be on a roster expected to contend in the Western Conference next season.

By adding the young big man, the Lakers reported interest in acquiring Jonas Valanciunas closer to the Feb. 6 trade deadline will likely wane. Unless Koloko struggles to stick in JJ Redick's rotation, they're unlikely to be a need for the hulking big man. Of course, a veteran presence in the starting lineup next to Anthony Davis and LeBron James may still be beneficial.

For now, though, Koloko has a chance to get his career back on track. He's joining a team with a strong balance of both veteran and developing talent. If he can prove himself to be a reliable contributor, his presence should strengthen Redick's center rotation, which would be a major bonus for Los Angeles.