Lakers rookie forward leaves no doubt he can play with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
LOS ANGELES – When the Los Angeles Lakers began NBA Summer League play, they had all three of their available two-way contract slots filled. But once game play got underway, Arthur Kaluma forced the Lakers to make a quick decision.
Advertisement
Arthur Kaluma made a big impact during summer league for the Lakers, and instead of allowing another team to scoop him up, they quickly signed him to a two-way contract while waiving undrafted rookie guard Peter Suder in the process. The 24-year-old is no stranger to the organization. He went undrafted himself in 2025 and latched on with the Lakers’ G League affiliate after spending training camp and preseason with the team.
He is, however, a rookie to the NBA and it’s not yet certain how much opportunity he’ll actually get with the Lakers this season. What is certain is that he will get plenty of live game reps in the G League with the Coachella Valley Lakers. Although he’ll be granted a higher level of freedom on the court in the G League, he knows he has to focus on specific things to be able to run alongside Laker stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
“My defensive versatility. I can guard one through five, and my ability to make open shots and create on offense,” Kaluma said during Coachella Valley Media Day on Nov. 2. “That’s good, but when you’re playing with guys like Luka and AR, the ball is not going to be in your hands as much. So my off-ball creation is gonna be good. My ability to set screens and most definitely my ability to guard.”
Advertisement
Kaluma has yet to see action in an NBA game yet, but he did appear in one preseason game with the Lakers this year. During summer league was where he really shined. He suited up in seven games across both the California Classic and Las Vegas, averaging a little north of 17 points per game.
He shot 55.1 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from the 3-point line and 79.2 percent from the free-throw line. Having spent his first year as a pro within the Lakers’ system, he already has familiarity and comfort. The Lakers’ new G League head coach, Alex Cerda, was on staff last season as an assistant under Zach Guthrie.
And when it comes to getting G League reps, Kaluma believes that it has become a legitimate training ground for players hoping to break through to the NBA.
“Definitely, if you approach it the correct way. It’s an opportunity for you to get better,” Kaluma said. “And so every single time I come down here or every time I’m gonna be playing in the G League, my main focus is working on the things that are gonna help translate to an NBA court.”
Advertisement
On a two-way contract, Kaluma is limited to the number of appearances he can make in the NBA. He’s already been active for a couple of Lakers games this season albeit not seeing any playing time. That still counts as part of his 50-game maximum.
One of the things players on two-way contracts find themselves having to get used to is the shuffle back and forth between the NBA and the G League. Injuries and absences can happen in the blink of an eye, calling those players into immediate duty with their NBA team.
Click Here to Subscribe
Since the G League season began on Nov. 6, Kaluma has spent the entire time with Coachella Valley. But he knows the day might come when his number is called, and potentially without warning. And so he is doing the best he can to keep himself fresh and ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Advertisement
“That’s pretty much it, you gotta stay ready,” Kaluma said. “I can play a game here and they can call me back and I have to go fly out somewhere and play a game with the main team. So just always being ready and waiting for my number to be called. Just stay consistent and level-headed mentally throughout it all is probably going to be the best thing I can do.”
Related: Lakers’ Luka Doncic woke up pain-free after ankle injury scare
Related: Sports doctor makes Lakers’ Austin Reaves injury prediction after leaving Bucks game
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
