Lakers Add Arthur Kaluma on Two‑Way Deal

Recent Roster Moves Target Depth

The Los Angeles Lakers have been active in the first half of July, first bolstering guard and front‑court depth. They secured Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili to address those areas. In the past week the focus shifted to wing and forward spots, with Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle joining the lineup. The team also took notice of Arthur Kaluma’s summer league run, rewarding him with a two‑way contract.

Williams signed on Sunday under a one‑year deal, while Thybulle followed suit Monday, also on a one‑year pact. Kaluma’s deal was announced the same day, coming after a strong performance in Las Vegas summer league. The acquisitions indicate a strategic push to fill gaps without pursuing high‑profile free agents.

Kaluma’s Summer League Spark

Kaluma entered his second professional season after going undrafted from the University of Texas. He spent the 2025‑26 campaign in the Lakers’ G League program and posted impressive numbers during the summer showcase. In Las Vegas he averaged close to 19 points per contest, drained 61 % of his field‑goal attempts and hit half of his three‑point shots. Such a showing turned him into a focal point for fans eager to see him remain in the NBA ecosystem.

Previous G League totals reflect his steady growth. Over the tip‑off tournament and the regular season, Kaluma averaged 13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 24.4 minutes per game. He maintained a 55.2 % shooting rate from the floor and connected on 37.8 % of his three‑point attempts. Those numbers helped the Lakers see value in a two‑way arrangement that lets him contribute at the NBA level while retaining G League flexibility.

Impact on Lakers’ Wing Depth

The Lakers now field a rotation of options at wing and forward, including Kaluma, Williams, Thybulle, rookie Cameron Carr and the potential addition of Adou Thiero. None of these players are viewed as starting‑level talent, and Kaluma lacks the athleticism of some of his new teammates. Still, each brings a serviceable skill set that can be mixed and matched in various lineups.

The roster construction signals a shift toward depth rather than star power. By using two‑way contracts and short‑term deals, Los Angeles can keep a flexible bench that can absorb injuries and provide scoring off the bench. The moves also keep the team competitive in the prepatch window, allowing coach Darvin Ham to experiment with combinations while staying under the salary‑cap constraints typical of a rebuilding approach.

For fans, the Kaluma signing is more than a simple transaction; it represents the franchise’s willingness to nurture local talent and fill immediate needs. If the forward continues his summer league form, he could emerge as a key piece of the Lakers’ front‑court depth, especially in a season where rotations become critical.