The Los Angeles Lakers are bringing back forward Arthur Kaluma on a two-way contract after an impressive showing in the 2026 NBA Summer League, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kaluma spent the 2025-26 season with the South Bay Lakers and earned the opportunity to remain in the organization through his strong development.
Kaluma averaged nearly 19 points per game while shooting 61% from the field and 50% from three-point range during the Las Vegas Summer League, production that convinced the Lakers to reward him with a two-way NBA deal.
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Kaluma signed with the Lakers as an undrafted free agent before agreeing to an Exhibit 10 contract. Los Angeles waived him prior to the regular season, but he remained with the franchise by joining its G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
Kaluma shot an efficient 55.2% from the field and 37.8% from beyond the arc while averaging 13.8 points in 24.4 minutes per contest.
The 24-year-old also brings extensive experience from four college seasons at Creighton, Kansas State and Texas. Across 134 NCAA games, Kaluma averaged 12.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists while posting career shooting splits of 43.8% from the field, 32.1% from three-point range and 74.2% from the free-throw line.
His most productive collegiate campaign came at Kansas State in 2023-24, when he averaged 14.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 33 games. He followed that by averaging 12.3 points and a career-high 7.5 rebounds during his lone season at Texas while improving his efficiency to 46.2% from the field and 35.9% from three.
The signing continues a busy offseason for the Lakers as they reshape the roster around Luka Doncic following LeBron James’ departure in free agency. Los Angeles reached the Western Conference semifinals last season after finishing 53-29 and winning the Pacific Division before being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The front office has since prioritized adding size, defense and complementary shooting around Doncic. The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade, signed Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney and Matisse Thybulle while also extending Austin Reaves to keep their core intact.
