The Los Angeles Lakers have signed a number of players on two-way contracts throughout the 2023-24 season. But there’s one who’s stuck with the team all season: promising big man Colin Castleton.
The Lakers signed Castleton as an undrafted free agent, signing him immediately to a two-way contract. The big man showed flashes of his intriguing talent during Summer League, showcasing his abilities on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he is a solid scorer, but offers more intrigue with his playmaking ability as passes often went his way. He also showed his rim protection abilities and was solid on the glass, always playing with a lot of energy.
Castleton spent the season bouncing back and forth between the Lakers’ main roster and the South Bay Lakers of the G League. He played 16 games with the Lakers, mostly in overtime, averaging 1.5 points in 3.7 minutes per game.
He got a lot more opportunities to shine in the G League and his all-around game was on full display with South Bay. In 12 games, he averaged 14.1 points on 53.4 percent shooting, along with 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 blocks. He was even better in the G League Showcase Cup where he averaged 18.7 points on 60.1 percent shooting, along with 11.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 blocks.
Highlights of the 2023-2024 season
Castleton rarely saw significant minutes for the Lakers throughout the season, with the vast majority of his time on the court coming when things were decided. That being said, a player’s first NBA basket is something that will always be remembered and Castleton accomplished that in his first career game, scoring a layup in the final seconds of the Lakers’ November game against the Orlando Magic.
Castleton will also always be able to say he was part of the inaugural NBA tournament championship team, as the Lakers won that trophy.
Outlook 2024-25
The Lakers clearly see something in Colin Castleton, having kept him on a two-way contract throughout last season and bring it back again this yearHe’s a talented big man who brings something different and plays hard at all times.
He was solid in Summer League this offseasonBut he still has some things he needs to work on. The Lakers need a true backup center behind Anthony Davis, but they’re looking for a physical, big guy, which isn’t Castleton’s strong suit. If he can work on that strength and hold his own in the defensive position while maintaining that offensive versatility, there could be an opportunity for him.
But in its second season, the pressure will be on for it to really developIf he doesn’t take a step forward in his improvement, the Lakers may start looking elsewhere for another development project.
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