Lakers Rumors: Christian Koloko Cleared to Play by NBA After Blood Clot Issue

Los Angeles Lakers big man Christian Koloko reportedly cleared an important step in his journey back to the court.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday that the NBA's fitness-to-play panel medically cleared Koloko to return. The 24-year-old hasn't played in an NBA game since April 2023 because of a blood clot issue that once seemed like it would threaten his entire career.

The plan is for Koloko to start practicing with the Lakers this week and ramp up until he is ready to participate in games.

Earlier this month, Charania and Dave McMenamin explained the NBA's fitness-to-play panel consisted of a league-appointed doctor, a players union-appointed doctor and a mutually agreed-upon third doctor.

The same report noted the Lakers were optimistic regarding the Arizona product's status, which surely played a role in their decision to sign him to a two-way deal in the offseason.

Koloko entered the league as a second-round draft pick of the Toronto Raptors in 2022.

He appeared in 58 games as a rookie and averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks while shooting 48 percent from the field in 13.8 minutes per game. While he wasn't a major contributor, he seemed well on his way to becoming a solid interior defender who could provide frontcourt depth for the Raptors.

However, he didn't play in his second season and was declared "out indefinitely due to respiratory issues" in October 2023.

Toronto then waived him in January 2024 to complete the trade that sent Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers.

The Lakers signed him this offseason, but Charania reported the Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs were also interested.

When he does return, Los Angeles can use him as important depth behind Anthony Davis. It could also choose to send him to the G League as a way of working his way back into form before becoming a potential piece of the rotation for the Purple and Gold.