Lakers News: Los Angeles Signs Three-Time All-SEC Center To Two-Way Deal
Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis aren't the only new Los Angeles Lakers we'll be seeing next year.
LA has also added two new two-way signings -- meaning it will be relinquishing its rights to at least one of power forward Cole Swider or point guard Scotty Pippen Jr., who both played sparingly for the Lakers proper in 2022-23 while spending most of their time with LA's G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. LA will be able to sign three two-way players heading into next season (NBA teams were limited to just two last year), so it's possible that Swider or Pippen return for an encore performance. Or maybe a new training camp player will get an opportunity instead.
Let's focus on the Lakers' new frontcourt piece they're adding on a two-way deal. All-SEC First Team center Colin Castleton, who went undrafted out of the University Florida on Thursday, is joining the Purple and Gold, sources inform Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times.
After spending two seasons at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the 6'11" big man transferred to the Gators in the 2020 offseason. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, he got to enjoy a bonus year of college eligibility. He was named to an All-SEC Team across all three of his seasons with Florida. Castleton was a two-time All-SEC Second Teamer, before being named to the 2023 All-SEC First Team during his final NCAA season. He was also an SEC All-Defense selection as a Gator.
In 2022-23, the power forward/center averaged 16 points on 50% shooting from the field and 72.9% shooting from the charity stripe, 7.7 boards, 3.0 blocks, 2.7 assists, and 0.9 steals across 26 contests, all starts.
As a two-way player, Castleton will now toggle between the Los Angeles and South Bay Lakers. He'll be able to play in up to 50 games for LA, before his contract would need to be converted into a standard deal on the club's 15-man roster.
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