Lakers Cutting Veteran Big Man to Accommodate New Signing

Mar 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10), guard Gabe Vincent (7), forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) and guard Luka Doncic (77) defend a drive by Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers are cutting a long-tenured big man to make room for a new addition.

More news: Lakers Hoping LeBron James Makes Major Sacrifice This Year

Per ESPN's Shams Charania, Los Angeles has opted to waive two-way signing Christian Koloko — in his second year with the franchise — to accommodate newly promoted forward Drew Timme.

The Lakers are waiving center Christian Koloko to create roster space for Timme, sources said. https://t.co/X6LCmeXx4D

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 25, 2025

Koloko carved out a niche bench role for Los Angeles last season, especially when the team was shorthanded at the center position behind Jaxson Hayes following its trade to acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks, which forced the Lakers to sacrifice 10-time All-Star big man Anthony Davis. Dallas did get back a center, 6-foot-10 vet Maxi Kleber, but he missed the entire regular season with a foot injury.

In 37 regular season contests for Los Angeles last year, Koloko average 2.4 points on 60.6 percent from the floor and 71.4 percent from the charity stripe, plus 2.5 boards, across 9.0 minutes per. Thanks to the arrival of Deandre Ayton and the relative health of Hayes and Kleber this year, Koloko became more superfluous, even as a developmental project signing.

More news: Bronny James Reveals Key Skillset Lakers Want Him to Build in G League

Ayton, unfortunately, suffered a knee contusion during the Lakers' 108-106 victory against the Utah Jazz on Sunday and could miss a few games recovering.

The 7-foot-1 pro cameoed in just two regular season contests, and even saw his output reduced across his appearances with the Lakers' NBAGL affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. In two Tip-Off Tournament G League games for South Bay this season, the Arizona alum averaged 8.5 points (while shooting 57.1 percent from the field) and 8.5 boards, 1.5 rejections and 0.5 swipes a night.

The Rise of Timme

The 6-foot-10 Timme was Koloko's teammate in South Bay on an affiliate deal. But his terrific play has earned him a promotion to a two-way contract. He's averaging 25.5 points on .515/.333/.733 shooting splits, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals in six healthy Tip-Off Tournament bouts for South Bay.

Two-way signings, toggled between the G League and the NBA proper, are able to play 50 games with their teams' NBA franchises before they need to get promoted again to the team's standard roster. Two-way players are ineligible to partake in playoff games, and must be elevated to a standard roster role for that, too.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.