The Los Angeles Lakers signed Arthur Kaluma to a two-way deal on Monday. Kaluma was one of the 2026 NBA Summer League standouts. The former Texas prospect went undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft and joined the South Bay Lakers. After a decent showing in the G League, Kaluma remained with the franchise this offseason.
Kaluma, a 6-foot-7 forward, has been compared to Naz Reid and P.J. Washington as a lengthy wing or undersized big who can space the floor and defend on the perimeter. In the summer league, Kaluma averaged a team-high 18.6 points while shooting 60.9% from the field and 50.0% from three-point range, on a significant volume of 5.2 attempts per game.
After seeing LeBron James and Rui Hachimura depart in free agency, Los Angeles’ wing depth took a massive hit. The Lakers didn’t do much to address it initially apart from signing 6-foot-9 Sandro Mamukelashvili.
However, Los Angeles has been active the past few days, signing Ziaire Williams on Sunday and Matisse Thybulle and Arthur Kaluma on Monday. Lakers fans were seemingly satisfied with the work general manager Rob Pelinka did to improve the team’s depth.
“Oh yeah. Rob has COOKED this summer. Most moves by ANY team. SCARY HOURS IN LA,” one fan said.
More reactions followed.
Lakers depth chart after signing Arthur Kaluma
The Los Angeles Lakers have 16 players under contract and two two-way players after signing Arthur Kaluma. Among guards, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves lead the pack. Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes would be their direct backups, while Bronny James will round off the backcourt rotation.
Sandro Mamukelashvili will likely be one of the starting forwards, alongside swingman Grimes. Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Dalton Knecht, Cameron Carr, Arthur Kaluma and Chris Manon will be among the backups.
The center rotation includes Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney. Mamukelashvili could also play minutes at the position in five-out lineups.
The Lakers will still make moves as they cannot have more than 15 players under standard contract on opening night. They can have up to 21 in the offseason. Vanderbilt could be among the trade candidates for the Lakers as they continue to eye more help in the frontcourt.
Los Angeles still needs a full-time third-string option at center. The Lakers can also trade or cut another player and keep one spot open for one of the two-way players down the line. Dalton Knecht might be the other trade candidate in this scenario.
Read more:
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