The Pelicans refuse the center Christian Kolokoaccording to Michael Scott of HoopsHype (Link to Twitter).
Colocco was on a non-guaranteed contract with New Orleans, so the team will not carry his salary on its books after his release. The 26-year-old played four minutes in the Pelicans’ preseason loss at Miami on Thursday and finished with two rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
The Cameroonian was selected 33rd overall in the 2022 draft after three collegiate seasons at Arizona. He showed some promise as a rookie with Toronto in 2022/23, but was forced to miss the entire 23/24 season due to a blood clot problem.
Kalaka spent the ’24/25 campaign on a two-way deal with the Lakers, and he made the jump to the NBA in ’25/26, suiting up for the Lakers, Grizzlies and Hawks. In just 27 games last season, he averaged 2.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 13.2 minutes per contest.
Despite having just one technical game in three NBA seasons, Koloko accumulated four years of service. This means that he is no longer entitled to a bilateral contract.
The Pelicans will have one preseason roster spot once the move becomes official.
