The Memphis Grizzlies have signed former Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko to a 10-day contract via the hardship exception, adding frontcourt depth amid roster strain.
NBA insider Shams Charania reported the move Monday, December 22, confirming Memphis’ short-term addition as the club navigates injuries and availability concerns.
Koloko, 25, joins a Grizzlies team hovering near .500 at 13–15 and looking to stabilize its interior minutes behind Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey. The move gives Memphis another rim-protecting option without a long-term commitment.
The center’s path back to the league has been deliberate after a 2023–24 season lost to illness. He returned on a two-way deal with the Lakers on September 16, 2024, pending medical clearance and a risk waiver.
Koloko received approval from the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel on October 29, allowing him to practice and resume game action. He made his Lakers debut on November 6 against Memphis when Anthony Davis was unavailable and Christian Wood was rehabbing knee surgery.
His role expanded later in November after Jaxson Hayes was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain. Still, roster turnover followed, and Koloko was waived on November 25, 2025, after Los Angeles signed Drew Timme.
Across his NBA career, Koloko has appeared in 97 regular-season games with 19 starts, averaging 2.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 11.9 minutes. His efficiency has been a calling card, highlighted by a 51.9 percent field-goal rate and reliable finishing around the rim.
He was originally drafted by the Toronto Raptors and showed defensive promise as a rookie in 2022–23, posting 0.4 blocks per game in limited minutes. The following year away from the floor slowed momentum, but his return last season restored his availability.
