Scouting Report, Christian Koloko: Can the Lakers' New Center Contribute This Season?

The Lakers haven't done much this offseason, and as such have some holes in the roster, one of the biggest being at backup center. That hole only got larger after Christian Wood underwent knee surgery last week. He'll be out until at least early November, likely longer.
So with that in mind, the Lakers did make a move this week, signing former Toronto center Christian Koloko to a two-way contract (and releasing forward Blake Hinson to make the space). Koloko has a small body of work to evaluate, and hasn't played for about 18 months after a blood clot issue forced him to miss last season. So to get a better feel for his game, Sean Woodley of Locked On Raptors joins the show to provide a scouting report. Among the big topics of discussion:
How effective is Koloko defensively?
Is the offense as bad as advertised?
Can Koloko contribute to a team with aspirations (assuming expectations are held at an appropriate level)?
How much growth potential is there?
What does it say about the Lakers and their current predicament that we're talking about Koloko as a potential rotation player, which isn't a consideration usually afforded a two-way player? Is his ability to contribute this year even the best thing about the signing?
Plenty to unpack!
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky with guest Sean Woodley, Locked On Raptors
SEGMENT 1: Woodley on Koloko's O and D.
SEGMENT 2: Can Koloko contribute?
SEGMENT 3: How much could Koloko play? The answer has a lot to do with Christian Wood...
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[@markshaw1966]

I'm sure that young man has been working on his game in that time off. Just because he hasn't played in a real game doesn't mean he hasn't been working on his game. I think he'll make the team and surprise some people

[@billcurtis5668]

Koloko is very raw. He has only played BB a few years and did nothing at Ariz until his last year. He has the tools to be a better RB and on offense needs work hard on the fundamentals of catching and finishing. We`ll get a better idea of his progress after pre-season games.

[@theguru6744]

Sean Woodley accessment of Koloko is only partially correct, funny when he got cleared the Raptors and several other teams wanted him! Why because he has played in the NBA and has showed he does belong! Hopefully the Lakers commitment to developing young players helps him achieve his full potential, a big who is part of the rotation not stuck in the G league

[@FULLmeltHASH]

We actually have a solid defense again

[@JP88-]

😂😂

[@justthisguy1948]

No they don’t 😂

[@truckerstar24]

Still need some help in the perimeter

[@LoveSunflowerz332]

Of course we do we got Dlo and Reaves 😊

[@Andrew-pv8oz]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@gregpollard7158]

I think Koloko/Jaxson can be a Younger Version of Dwight/McGee that can get US a combined 15 Points/12 Rebounds/3 Bloc(k)s a Night. Some Games, Jaxson will play more and Some Games, Koloko will play more. In addition, both Jaxson & Koloko need to put on 10-15 Pounds of Muscle 💪🏾 and bcuz They’re not Shooters, They can make those gains during the Season. Clarification: Not All-NBA Dwight but, Bubble Dwight & Bubble McGee.

[@JP88-]

😂😂

[@pinoykayaker]

Rob the trash collector, forever looking for bargain deals. Jeanie, the cheapo owner, approves this deal for almost nothing. You get what you pay for. SELL THE TEAM.

[@Cahluvca]

That's a stretch

[@roybabineaux5353]

You're talking about two of the most athletic big men ever, and their defense was top-notch we at least Dwight Howard were.

[@gregpollard7158]

@@roybabineaux5353 - All NBA Dwight was the Best Center of His Generation so, can’t compare either one to that Dwight but, hoping Koloko/Jaxson can get to the Bubble Howard/McGee.

[@archjourney2487]

until Wood is healthy??? Wowwwwww! So Wood now is a difference maker? Lakers problem is not letting their rookies play in a valuable minutes every regular season games so they can build their confidence on NBA level games not on those G LEAGUE shits. Derek Lively is no different to the rest of the world, he just got the trust from his teammates and coaches and that's it.

[@554cortez]

I mean Wood makes this team a lot more versatile actually so he’s important but not vital. And I agree that JHS needs minutes this year. Let’s see what he can do.

[@justin4fun06]

I sooo agree with this. LBJ not grooming these young bucks like they do at OKC

[@jamiethorpe5431]

So Bron has to be the development coach as well? You do realize OKC has no real vets right? And it’s OKC’s coaching staff that developed those players right?

[@tube2tubeyeah]

With AD at center, the Lakers have been like an old fashioned metro ticket booth where you have to wait to buy your ticket. Sometimes you get really slowed down. When AD is on the bench, it’s like they don’t even require a ticket, you just walk right in. It has been challenging to give AD any meaningful rest as they usually lose their lead when he sits. They have needed a rim protector badly and Kokoko can be the temporary kiosk while AD sits.

[@quentinseicappie1246]

Last move i want? Rui+gabe+Hayes+one 1st for 6ft8 Jeremi Grant. 42%from 3s. Helluva a scorer. Will be back to being a better defender now that he dont have to carry the offense. Hes a bucket getter. Blazer needs a center to backup ayton. Max/Grant/Lebron/AD/Koloko That Lineup got 3 floor spacers and defense everywhere. Lebron can defend when locked in. could be crazy.

[@truckerstar24]

Blazers got 3 centers behind ayton 😂. All better than any laker backup. They drafted Clingan, already had Robert Williams and duop Reith

[@gregorybrown5419]

What has Wood, Hayes done?. Hell Castleton hasn't even cracked rotations.

[@BobbyLouxMusic]

Typical Laker strategy, needing 3 players to fill one position! Castleton, Hayes, and Koloko! none of these guys does enough on their own to play next to AD! Smh!

[@Daangelvid360]

Tbf it's only 1 aside from AD, those are 2way players, so filler except for certain moments And we've always had multiple players at each position, hell we had like 6-8 guards in 2020

[@554cortez]

Well Christian wood is hurt. You were expecting us to pull a perfect replacement for free ?

[@seanalexander5978]

You don’t need to be highly skilled to play next to Ad as a Center. All that’s asked of them is just to protect the rim and rebound it’s not fkn rocket science smh Hayes, and Koloko are totally capable of that.

[@wmcuccia1356]

After listening to your questions to Sean it seems like this is a reach for this year, may be able to be developed for the future. The challenge is finding depth for this year.

[@intelizWild]

Length & size duz matter! 💯💜🫡😛

[@DereckYang]

Wait and see

[@juanjuan799]

CASTLETON, should be a POWER FORWARD. He can Score, from the 3, and inside. It will be very hard , for CASTLETON, to play as a Center, with the lakers.

[@kuyab9122]

He can't even guard quick centers let alone power forwards.

[@preshj0hnson]

I’m getting better at talking to my spouse due to watching Brian . He does this similar thing I noticed I would do to her & while she’s talking I’ll just talk louder because obviously I’m smarter. Well I’m sure she hates it as much as I hate to watch Brian constantly due it to his spouse I mean brother lol. Love the show, Brian relax sometimes!

[@craigbell4242]

Why not play him at Center and AD at the four ... He protects the rim and davis can be the offfense

[@justin4fun06]

Koloko needs to build some muscles to make a difference in the middle. He’s already quick and mobile but at risk of getting pushed around by the likes of Jokic and Embiid

[@johnstratton2305]

let's FUCKIN goooooooooo 😤 lakers 😤 😎 💪

[@Murali_bala13]

If he can be an oversized version of Wenyen Gabriel, it's a win certainly

[@diannewallace4829]

You're worried what they are gonna do to replace Wood till Dec. W O O D ?? Wood is the problem not the solution. This Laker team is going south in a big hurry unless Christie and Reaves somehow get a lot better and the team stays healthy.

[@wmcuccia1356]

Are there any veteran centers available that could help?

[@LockedOnLakers]

@@wmcuccia1356 Not really. The true centers still out there are free agents for a reason. At the very least, none are worth burning a second round pick to offload a vet min guy. AK

[@wmcuccia1356]

@@LockedOnLakers Makes total sense, just discouraging, seems like the Lakers are always behind the 8-ball. Thank Andy. Keep believing. Appreciate you both.

[@juanjuan799]

CHRISTIAN KOLOKO, at center, Anthony Davis, at power forward, DALTON KNECHT, at Small forward, Austin Reaves, At guard, and LEBRON JAMES, At point guard. If and when, KOLOKO is fit and ready.

[@MichaelO-wp7fj]

But I really liked Brian's in a NUTSHELL.

[@haruslim7846]

Why set the tone Koloko accidentally made the NBA and just so happened to get time on the floor and was not effective in his role on 13.6 mpg on 3 points 3 rb. 1 block. Meanwhile, Walker Kessler is being sold as the answer for the Lakers all summer long on 23.3 mpg 8.7 points 8 rbs and 2.3 blocks. Kessler has better hands, but Koloko runs the floor much better and can guard the perimeter. They are almost putting up identical numbers. Kessler and Koloko both provide a benefit. Though Kessler is better.

[@LockedOnLakers]

Well, nobody never said Koloko "accidentally made the NBA," or anything close to that. We've noted many times he was a high second-round draft pick, and pretty close to going in the first round. That's clearly not falling into the league. Nor did we crap on his production. Yes, he's not a scorer, but a block per game in under 15 minutes as a rookie is quite good. However, Sean Woodley's point about Koloko getting minutes as a rookie in part out of pure need at the position is indisputably true. Until the team traded for Jakob Poetl, they had no true centers. So unless they were gonna go center-less, Koloko was their only choice. But that doesn't mean he didn't earn the right to stay on the floor, because he did. Woodley said as much. Both things can be true at once. Appreciate you watching. AK

[@haruslim7846]

@@LockedOnLakers Between the lines of Sean's wording, yeah it's there. Anyway, keep putting the info out there. I watch closely and usually like, even if I don't agree with everything. Go Lakers!!!

[@mrdee6076]

Brain hates Koloko. He said maybe in 2 or 3 years, he might be a 2nd or 3rd string Center. Wow! 😂😂

[@dennisknowles9293]

Based on this scouting report Andy it seems like Koloko is G.League material not a backup Center right now...We need a true BACKUP CENTER 😮😮. Jackson Hayes PLEASE DON'T PACK YOUR BAGS😂😂😂

[@MichaelO-wp7fj]

The only point is : Can be handle Jocovich ?

[@lakersvenice1848]

He got an offer from Harvard. Imagine he has the intellect to steadily improve.

[@LeacockFrances-s6u]

Gonzalez Larry Robinson Betty Hernandez Patricia

[@Alexandernesslon]

Martinez Larry Smith George Lee Donna

[@craigbell4242]

No one could score on them

[@user-ot5mv6tp3m]

Garcia Jose Lee Jennifer Anderson Deborah

[@intelizWild]

🙏🏻💜💯🫡😃👍🏻

[@aaronwimbish9382]

I’m 12 hrs late sorry guys that’s not like me lol

[@LockedOnLakers]

We'll forgive you this once. Once. AK

[@aaronwimbish9382]

@@LockedOnLakers thanks guys lol my alerts not working lol

[@justin4fun06]

Castleton is a waste of roster spot

[@ceciliabaldwin3804]

Clark Elizabeth Martinez Susan Jones Linda

[@CliffordLytle]

Perez Deborah White Joseph Lopez Joseph

[@Teach4391]

Lmao. So Wood is the answer now? Lakers need a shot blocking big and not this weak guy called Wood. Koloko is the closest to what AD needs. Stop talking about Wood or Hayes

[@LockedOnLakers]

We never said Wood was "the answer." We said he's an option at an unsettled area of need. Big difference. AK

[@Andrew-pv8oz]

@@LockedOnLakersyeah wood totally answered an unsettled area last season😂

[@LockedOnLakers]

@@Andrew-pv8oz Again, we never said Wood “answered” anything. Also, he missed half the year, so even if he was the “answer” (which… again… never claimed this), he wasn’t in the position to do that, anyway. AK

[@warrenbailey1473]

This is typical Laker patch and pray team management

[@MichaelO-wp7fj]

The fact that the entire show they NEVER MENTIONED JOCOVICH tells me it's pie, but it's IN THE SKY. In other words, Koloco having any effect on Jocovich, forgetta bout it.

[@TonyG-b2s]

Another big that cannot play with his back to the basket. A waste.

[@Rustyblackleford]

How is a waste, when he's a back up? I mean, if he was a player, that Pelinka brought in as AD's replacement, then yeah...but he's a third to MAYBE second if his defense is as good as shown.

[@MichaelO-wp7fj]

Blah blah blah, JOKER !!!???