Arthur Kaluma's stock keeps rising after impressive outing
Kaluma continued his impressive display with 15 points in 23 minutes as the Lakers hammered rivals LA Clippers 99-85 to extend their impressive run in the Summer League.
Arthur Kaluma in action. Courtesy photo
Arthur Kaluma has been the best player for the Los Angeles Lakers at the NBA Summer League.
And he is not even in their starting lineup.
Yesterday, Kaluma continued his impressive display with 15 points in 23 minutes as the Lakers hammered rivals LA Clippers 99-85 to extend their impressive run in the Summer League. Kaluma has averaged 19 points in 23 minutes across five games, shooting 58.8% from the field, 40.7% from three-point range, and 83.3% from the free-throw line.
Significantly, Lakers coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka were in attendance, and they would have been impressed with what they saw. Kaluma’s display has put the Lakers in something of a bind.
The Lakers control Kaluma’s returning G League rights, but he is not under an NBA contract and remains free to sign either a standard NBA deal or a two-way contract with another franchise, without Los Angeles receiving any compensation.
Fearing to lose him, the Lakers may be forced to reconsider the makeup of their current two-way roster. Chris Manon, AK Okereke, and Peter Suder currently occupy the Lakers’ three two-way contracts, but only Manon’s can be viewed as guaranteed.
The Lakers’ 15-man roster is now full, meaning a two-way contract represents the immediate pathway to securing Kaluma’s future with the organization.
His performances in the Summer League have not harmed that possibility one bit.