TITLE: Pelicans Reach One-Year Agreement With Center Christian Koloko
SLUG: pelicans-reach-one-year-agreement-with-christian-koloko
CONTENT:
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent center Christian Koloko, according to a report from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Contract details were not disclosed, but the deal is expected to be a training-camp arrangement that will allow the 26-year-old to compete for the final spot on New Orleans’ 15-man roster. The Pelicans already have 14 guaranteed contracts and recently added guard Kobe Bufkin on a non-guaranteed camp deal.
Koloko began last season on a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers before being waived in late November. He spent a brief stint with the G League’s Austin Spurs in mid-December, then signed a 10-day hardship contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis brought him back for a second 10-day but did not retain him for the remainder of the season.
The 7-footer joined the Atlanta Hawks on a two-way pact in mid-January and appeared in 14 games, averaging 3.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.1 minutes. Across 27 total NBA games last season, he averaged 2.7 points and 3.0 boards in 13.2 minutes.
Selected 33rd overall by Toronto in the 2022 draft after three seasons at Arizona, Koloko impressed at times as a rookie with the Raptors in 2022-23. He missed the entire 2023-24 campaign because of a blood-clot issue. Now beyond two-way eligibility, he is expected to join New Orleans on an Exhibit 10 contract despite having logged only three playing seasons; service-time rules credit him with four years.
Source: HoopsRumors
