After getting former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to agree to sign a two-year contract, the Los Angeles Lakers made a couple more minor roster moves on Monday.
During NBA summer league play, they got a look at some of their young players. Guard Bronny James, after a slow start, put forth some promising play on both ends of the court, and forward Darius Bazley played some high-energy basketball until he suffered a leg injury in the team’s penultimate game.
On Monday, the Lakers decided to sign center Christian Koloko and wing Chris Manon to two-way contracts. Koloko was with them during summer league play, while Manon suited up for the Golden State Warriors.
Koloko was a second-round draft pick in 2022 after three seasons at the University of Arizona. He missed all of the 2023-24 season due to a blood clot issue, and in 37 games with the Lakers this past season, he averaged 2.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.4 blocks in 9.2 minutes a game. While in the G League, he put up 14.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per contest.
He had originally signed with L.A. on a two-way contract last summer.
Manon, who went undrafted in last month’s NBA draft, averaged 11.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals in 18.1 minutes a game during the Las Vegas summer league. He isn’t a 3-point shooting threat, but at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, he hustles and plays hard on the defensive end and has a strong motor.
On Sunday, the Lakers waived guard Jordan Goodwin, whom they had called up from the G League at midseason. Perhaps Manon will essentially be Goodwin’s replacement as far as a high-motor wing they will look to develop.
