Lakers Waive Blake Hinson to Make Room for Christian Koloko Signing

The Los Angeles Lakers are poised to make a key move this offseason, with reports suggesting that the team will sign young big man Christian Koloko on a two-way contract. This signing brings potential depth and flexibility to the Lakers’ frontcourt, but also forces the team to make a roster adjustment to free up space.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, that decision came on Sunday when the Lakers opted to waive forward Blake Hinson.

Hinson, who was signed by the Lakers after the 2024 NBA Draft, initially offered a glimmer of hope to fans and the front office. Known for his ability to stretch the floor as a big man, Hinson was seen as a potential solution to one of the Lakers’ long-standing issues: lack of consistent shooting. However, his performance in the NBA Summer League did not meet expectations. 

In eight Summer League games, Hinson shot 21-64 from beyond the arc. His numbers were erratic, as he started and finished the league well, combining to shoot 10-21 in his first and last games. Unfortunately, in the six games in between, he hit just 11 of 43 attempts from three-point range, raising concerns about his reliability as a shooter. 

For a player who is largely one-dimensional, relying primarily on his perimeter shooting, such inconsistency made it difficult for the Lakers to envision a significant role for him in their rotation.

The decision to waive Hinson is understandable when considering the Lakers’ roster construction. At the forward position, the team already boasts considerable depth, including players like LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt. Hinson’s struggles with shooting and his limited skill set made it tough for him to carve out a niche in such a competitive environment.

Ultimately, while there was some initial optimism around Hinson’s potential to help with the team’s shooting woes, his performance left much to be desired. For a franchise with championship aspirations, every roster spot matters, and Hinson’s inconsistency made him expendable.

As for Koloko, his addition on a two-way contract is seen as a low-risk, high-reward move. The 7-foot-1 center, who spent the last season with the Toronto Raptors, brings a combination of size, athleticism, and shot-blocking ability. While his offensive game is still developing, his defensive presence and rebounding could provide valuable minutes off the bench when the Lakers face teams with strong frontcourts.

The structure of a two-way contract means Koloko will split time between the Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, and can spend up to 50 days with the NBA squad during the regular season. 

If Koloko performs well, the Lakers may face the challenge of managing his availability as a two-way player. However, that’s a problem they’ll tackle when the time comes. For now, Koloko provides the team with a valuable developmental piece who could fill gaps in their interior defense.

This move reflects the Lakers’ ongoing efforts to tweak their roster and prepare for another deep playoff run. As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, they’ll continue to evaluate talent and adjust accordingly, with the hope that Koloko’s defensive capabilities can bring an extra edge to their frontcourt rotation.