Koloko

09/13/2024 11:18 PM

Christian Koloko could be back in the NBA for the 2024-25 season.

The seven-foot centre, selected by the Toronto Raptors 33rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, is finalizing a return to the league, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Friday.

The Arizona product didn’t play at all in 2023-24 because of what Toronto called a “respiratory issue.” Charania reported in January that Koloko was suffering from a blood clot issue and had been referred to the league's Fitness-to-Play panel, preventing him from playing for or practsing with an NBA team.

He is still awaiting clearance to play from the panel, but is now eligible to sign with a team, Charania reported Friday.

Koloko, 24, was waived by the Raptors in January after the team traded Pascal Siakam to Indiana in exchange for three players.

However, it sounds like a reunion with the Raptors could be in the cards.

Charania reported Friday that the Raptors are among the front-runners to sign the big man, along with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers.

In 58 games with the Raptors in 2022-23, Koloko averaged 13.8 minutes, 3.1 points and 2.9 rebounds.