The Los Angeles Lakers have two or three roster flaws or weaknesses right now, and just about everyone agrees that one of them is a legitimate defensive center to back up Anthony Davis or, at least occasionally, play alongside Davis.
Jaxson Hayes has only been a marginal contributor who lacks the ability and strength to play positional defense, and Christian Wood is primarily an offensive-minded player. That has left Los Angeles in a situation where it has had to try to develop Colin Castleton.
Castleton, who was an undrafted free agent last summer, flashed some promise and intrigue in last year’s summer league. While he barely played for the Lakers this past season, he did average 14.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 blocked shots while shooting 53.8% from the field in 12 regular season games with the G League’s South Bay Lakers.
On Saturday, the big league Lakers re-signed the 6-foot-10, 250-pound big man to a two-way contract.
The Lakers have re-signed center Colin Castleton to a two-way contract. pic.twitter.com/QOyz7qcN5E
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 7, 2024
Castleton has shown some ability to box out, rebound, score inside and even facilitate from the elbow or high post area. In L.A.’s first 2024 summer league game on Saturday, he posted 11 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes.