Tag: Colin Castleton

Colin Castleton will miss time due to a right wrist fracture

The Lakers are dealing with yet another injury at a time in which they have already had a lack of frontcourt depth.

Injuries have been a major impediment for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. While LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been relatively healthy and available for most of their games, they have had to deal with several of their other key players missing stretches of action.

Guard Gabe Vincent, who was supposed to give them a boost defensively, has played in just five games and underwent knee surgery several weeks ago. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt missed the first several weeks of the season with a heel ailment, and just when he was starting to play very well and get in top game shape, he suffered a foot injury that will keep him out for at least a few more weeks.

Meanwhile, L.A.’s big man depth has been depleted due to a swollen knee Christian Wood is dealing with. In addition, undrafted rookie big man Colin Castleton has a fractured right wrist that will sideline him for some time.

Castleton, an undrafted rookie who is on a two-way contract, has played very little for the Lakers, but he has an interesting skill set. The team is likely hoping he could play a role for it off the bench in the seasons to come.

Young Lakers are grateful LeBron James got them their big payday in NBA in-season tournament

A number of young Lakers have said LeBron James wanted to win the NBA Cup in part to help them achieve financial security.

The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA’s first in-season tournament on Saturday by pushing aside the Indiana Pacers 123-109. Although it is fair to question exactly how much weight winning the NBA Cup will carry for a player or franchise, it is safe to say this tourney has been a success for the league.

In addition to raising the level of competition and excitement among players, it has also resulted in a big payday for them. In particular, Lakers players on standard contracts each earned $500,000 while men on two-way contracts netted $250,000 for winning the tourney.

LeBron James, who was named the tourney’s MVP, probably has $500,000 in cash wedged between the cushions of his couch or underneath the seats in his car. But for L.A.’s young players, a six-figure payday means a ton. It means securing their financial future and those of their families, not to mention an opportunity to give back to their communities and help the underprivileged.

A number of these players were grateful for the big bag they secured on Saturday and for James’ help in doing so.

Lakers 3 goals: Colin Castleton must work on his rebounding

Here are three goals for Colin Castleton to focus on in the coming season.

In the upcoming season, Colin Castleton will split his time between the Los Angeles Lakers and the South Bay Lakers. The 6-foot-11 center went undrafted this summer despite impressing for the University of Florida, with which he averaged 16 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2.7 assists per game.

Castleton ended his final collegiate season with an All-SEC defensive team selection. However, the five-year college player was judged as a high-floor, low-ceiling pickup. That floor could make him an interesting prospect at the next level. As such, the Lakers will look closer at the versatile big man to see if he can develop and find a role for himself within the team’s rotation.

So, for the latest edition of LeBron Wire’s “three goals” series, we take a closer look at areas the undrafted big man should work on throughout the season as he looks to crack the Lakers’ rotation and prove himself as an NBA talent.

 

Colin Castleton says Austin Reaves has paved the way for undrafted players

Lakers rookie Colin Castleton is appreciative of Austin Reaves for paving the way for undrafted players to succeed in the NBA.

It used to be true that if a basketball player went undrafted, he had two chances of making it in the NBA: slim and none.

But that has changed over the last few years, as a handful of undrafted men have become viable NBA players.

One great example is Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who had a promising rookie season and blossomed in a big way this past season. He was recently rewarded with a four-year contract worth over $50 million, and he could possibly take another jump forward this season.

The Lakers have another promising undrafted prospect. Colin Castleton is a center who spent the last three years at the University of Florida. Castleton displayed an intriguing set of skills during NBA Summer League a few weeks ago, and the team is hoping he will fill its need for a center who defends and rebounds at a high level.

Castleton gave credit to Reaves for paving the way for undrafted players to succeed at the next level.

Via Lakers Nation:

“(Reaves) laid the foundation. Somebody who has a hell of a story, somebody who is doubted, had chip on his shoulder and I feel like I relate to him a lot,” Castleton said. “I feel like going undrafted, you definitely have a chip on your shoulder, you have a little bit more of a reason to continue to play well and do what you’re supposed to do.

“You can’t have any slip ups, so watching his path and what he did, all the stories I hear about him working hard and the mindset he has is something I’m definitely trying to model and continue to follow his footsteps. He’s already done it and I’m taking that same route in a way, so being able to learn from him, continue to watch him, he just got paid really well, so he’s doing everything he needs to do.”

Los Angeles has only one true center on its roster, that being Jaxson Hayes. It has been considering signing another one in free agency, but nothing has transpired, at least not yet.

2023 Lakers summer league player grades: Colin Castleton

A final look at Colin Castleton’s performance during NBA Summer League play for the Lakers this year.

The 2023 NBA Summer League is in the books, and it gave a number of players the opportunity to flash their potential and possibly earn a spot in the Association.

The Lakers had a mix of can’t-miss players, prospects looking to get playing time with Los Angeles and those fighting for a spot in the league.

Colin Castleton, an undrafted big man who played his college ball at the University of Michigan and the University of Florida, received a two-year deal from the Lakers right after last month’s draft. Not many people expected him to do well in summer league play, but he quickly proved he’s an intriguing prospect.

Colin Castleton on his mindset this summer heading into training camp

Undrafted big man Colin Castleton sounds like he’s focusing on his craft this summer ahead of the start of training camp for the Lakers.

Heading into this year’s NBA Summer League, much of the attention for the Los Angeles Lakers was centered on Jalen Hood-Schifino, the No. 17 pick in last month’s draft, and incoming second-year wing Max Christie.

But as play began, big man Colin Castleton attracted attention by consistently showing off an interesting and useful collection of skills.

He averaged 13.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists a game while shooting 51% from the field during the main summer league in Las Vegas. Suddenly, the undrafted 6-foot-11 University of Florida product is looking like a possible candidate for one of the Lakers’ final two roster spots.

Castleton is on a two-way contract, and he sounds like he is focusing on his craft this summer before training camp starts (h/t Lakers Nation).

“Learning everyday. That’s the biggest thing for me, that’s my mindset. I haven’t really thought about too much into the future, I’m just taking it one day at a time,” Castleton said. “I was focused on killing summer league, and I feel like I did a good job there. Now I can focus on getting ready for training camp and put myself in the right mindset so I can have an opportunity later in the year. That’s my mindset.

“I’ll just go in there with the right approach, wanting to learn from the best players in the world. I’m going to soak up all the information they give me. But I feel like I’m definitely ready to play at this level so we’ll just see how everything falls out, but I’m definitely excited for training camp.

“My competitive spirit is something that drives me, so obviously I feel like I could see myself in that role at some point,” Castleton said. “But it’s not something I worry about or think about. I just let the process happen.

“I’m just working as hard as I can everyday and let the dominos fall the way they fall. Being able to focus on taking it one step at a time, doing what I needed to do in summer league, now getting prepared for training camp and then going from there. I’m just worried about working hard and getting better.”

The Lakers definitely need another viable rotation big man, and if Castleton is as good as his word, he could end up being just that for them this fall.

Former Gator Colin Castleton standing out during NBA Summer League

For The Win’s NBA staff writer Bryan Kalbrosky recently took a look at the top five players in this year’s summer league action.

Former Florida basketball standout Colin Castleton did not hear his name called during the draft back on June 22 but was still able to sign on with the Los Angeles Lakers on an undrafted free agent contract. It appears that the Lakers’ gamble on the ex-Gator was a good one, as the center has performed well during the NBA Summer League schedule.

For The Win’s NBA staff writer Bryan Kalbrosky recently took a look at the top five players in this year’s summer league action, which includes the UF alumnus. The big man has put up numbers similar to what he recorded during college, which bodes well for his future in the league.

After signing a two-way deal with the Lakers, undrafted free agent big man Colin Castleton looked outstanding during summer league.

He averaged 20.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks per 40 minutes for Los Angeles. He was 8 of 11 (72.7%) as the roll man during ball screens, per Synergy, and 6 of 8 (75.0%) when cutting to the basket.

His blend of rim protection and offensive playmaking is hard to find.

Castleton is one of just three high-major players on record since 2008 to reach challenging thresholds for assist rate (15.0 percent) and block rate (9.0 percent) in the same season, via Bart Torvik.

He is also one of just three Division I men’s college basketball players on record with at least collegiate 140 assists, 140 blocks and fewer than 200 fouls.

He recorded at least six assists in more than half of his games during summer league for the Lakers.

19.8 percent of his passes led directly to a shot from a teammate at Florida last season. That ranked top-15 among all notable undrafted free agents who played in NBA 2K24 Summer League, per Stats Perform.

Castleton also set 0.13 dribble handoffs per touch last season, also via Stats Perform, which ranked top-15 among notable UDFA as well. These actions give him tremendous value as a connective piece for Los Angeles.

Castleton is just about 6-foot-11-inches in socks and his wingspan is nearly 7-foot-4-inches.

According to Stadium Speak, his closest physical comparisons include Chris Bosh and Mike Muscala.

He could potentially crack the rotation in the frontcourt for the Lakers if they become depleted by any unexpected injuries or if they do not make any more transactions to replenish their frontcourt depth.

The NBA Summer League continues on Monday night as the Houston Rockets take on the Dallas Mavericks at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the final game of the season, starting at 9 p.m. EDT.

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Three takeaways from Sunday’s Lakers vs. Clippers summer league game

Three players stood out in the Lakers’ final summer league game versus the Clippers on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers may not be participating in the NBA Summer League playoff game this year, but they finished the summer on a high note.

Despite being without Max Christie, their best player this summer, and No. 17 pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, Los Angeles fought hard for much of the contest. It fell behind by 11 in the first quarter, but the final three quarters were competitive, and this one was decided in the final seconds.

After the Clippers’ Matt Morgan hit a 3-pointer to tie the score with 1.5 seconds left, Keaton Wallace was called for a foul as the Lakers looked to inbound the ball. It resulted in a free throw by Cole Swider with 0.4 seconds left that provided the final margin in L.A.’s 104-103 win.

These three players stood out for the Lakers on Sunday.

Three takeaways from Sunday’s Lakers vs. Hornets summer league game

These three players stood out in the Lakers’ 93-75 win over the Hornets in the NBA Summer League on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ entry in the NBA Summer League earned its second straight win on Sunday when it notched a 93-75 victory over the Charlotte Hornets in a matinee contest.

The squad seems to be finding itself, both collectively and individually, after it lost both of its games in the California Classic on Monday and Wednesday. The Lakers have won both of their games thus far in the main summer league, and they have looked fairly impressive at times.

By now, a few of their players have established themselves as potential or even serious NBA prospects. These three players looked especially spry on Sunday afternoon.

Four takeaways from Wednesday’s Lakers vs. Spurs summer league game

The Lakers had four players do well in their second summer league game of 2023.

In their second game of this year’s California Classic, the Los Angeles Lakers fought hard for much of the contest, but they came up short to the San Antonio Spurs by the score of 109-99.

The Lakers fell behind early 20-10, but they responded to build a five-point lead near the end of the first quarter. Unfortunately, that was about as good as it got for them, as they got outrebounded by 15 and gave up 20 offensive rebounds, which led to 26 second-chance points for San Antonio.

Still, four players stood out for Los Angeles and could have some potential as far as making its big-league team this fall.