The New Orleans Pelicans have added frontcourt depth by agreeing to a one-year contract with center Christian Koloko, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Scotto reported Tuesday that Koloko will compete for the final roster spot after spending time with the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks over the past four seasons.
The signing gives New Orleans another low-risk option at center following an offseason in which the franchise has made few roster changes despite finishing 26-56 and 11th in the Western Conference. The Pelicans largely opted for continuity, bringing back most of last season’s roster while adding Koloko to compete for a place behind their existing frontcourt rotation.
Koloko, 26, appeared in 27 NBA games during the 2025-26 season across three teams. He averaged 2.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.9 blocks in 13.2 minutes per game while making four starts. His season began with the Lakers before he moved to the Grizzlies, where he averaged 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 17.7 minutes over 11 appearances. He later finished the year with Atlanta, posting 3.1 points and 2.6 rebounds across 14 games.
A second-round pick by Toronto in the 2022 NBA Draft, Koloko showed promise as a rookie by averaging 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 block in 58 games while starting 19 contests. He missed the entire 2023-24 campaign because of illness before returning with the Lakers in 2024-25, shooting an efficient 60.6% from the field in 37 appearances.
Across his three NBA seasons, Koloko has appeared in 122 regular-season games and owns career averages of 2.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks while shooting 49.3% from the field. Although his offensive role has remained limited, his size, rim protection and mobility have kept him on NBA rosters despite changing teams multiple times over the past year.
The Pelicans’ biggest question entering training camp remains the center position. Derik Queen averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists as a rookie while starting 48 games last season, and Yves Missi contributed 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 66 appearances. Veteran DeAndre Jordan was re-signed on a two-year deal after averaging 4.4 points and 6.3 rebounds in limited action, but the departure of Kevon Looney left another opening in the frontcourt.
New Orleans has otherwise remained quiet in free agency, choosing to keep its core intact around Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III. Murphy led the team in scoring last season with 21.5 points per game, while Williamson averaged 21.0 points on 60.0% shooting in 62 games.
