Former Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko has officially signed with Serbian EuroLeague club KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet, ending his three-year NBA career. The 7-foot-1 big man was released by the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this month and now heads to Belgrade for a new challenge. This roster move for a former Laker comes as the current team prepares for its final preseason game, having lost 106-121 to the Denver Nuggets on October 16.
Christian Koloko entered the league as the 33rd overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in the 2022 NBA Draft. He spent two seasons with the Raptors but missed the entire 2023-24 campaign due to blood clot issues. After being waived by Toronto, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way contract for the 2024-25 season. Koloko appeared in 37 games for the Lakers that year, averaging 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds while splitting time with the G League. He started last season with the Lakers but was waived after just two appearances, later having brief stints with the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks.
The Serbian club announced the signing on its official website, citing a need for reinforcement due to injuries to centers Johnathan Motley and Ebuka Izundu. In its statement, the club highlighted Koloko's mobility and defensive potential. "Koloko is extremely mobile for his height," the club wrote. "His huge arm span of almost 230 centimeters helps him defend the basket and the hoop." Crvena Zvezda competes in three demanding competitions-the Serbian League, the Adriatic League, and the EuroLeague-making depth a priority. He'll join a roster featuring several other former NBA players like Jared Butler, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and Jordan Nwora.
The Lakers' immediate focus is on concluding their preseason schedule and finalizing their roster. Their preseason has been a mixed bag, featuring wins over the Sacramento Kings (127-103 on October 5 and 114-110 on October 8) and losses to the Golden State Warriors (98-124 on October 6 and 89-101 on October 13). Their final preseason test is a rematch against the Warriors at home on October 21. After that, the real work begins for the regular season. Fans can track the team's upcoming schedule on our schedule page. Koloko's departure shows the constant roster evolution around the NBA fringe, as the Lakers look to solidify their own rotation for the year ahead.
