Shams Charania just dropped a bomb on Monday evening, and if you weren’t paying attention to Summer League, you need to listen up: Arthur Kaluma is officially signing a two-way contract with the Lakers. This isn’t some low-key move; this dude absolutely earned it after a lights-out campaign in Las Vegas that had everyone talking. The Lakers are locking him up, and honestly, it’s about time after what we just saw.
From G-League Grind to Vegas Firestorm
Kaluma isn’t new to the Lakers organization, but this past Summer League? That was his coming out party. Last year, he was on the Summer League squad too, but only averaged 4.5 points across four games. That’s a huge difference from what we just witnessed. He spent the entire 2025-26 season with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, putting in serious work across 40 games, averaging a solid 13.8 points in 24.4 minutes. He was shooting 54.9% from the field and 37.6% from three out there, proving he could get it done.
But Las Vegas this summer? That was different. He averaged an incredible 17.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game across seven contests. We’re talking about a guy shooting 55.1% from the field and a sharp 38.9% from beyond the arc. And let’s not forget that absolute explosion against the Mavericks in Vegas where he dropped 34 points! Seriously, a 34-point game in Summer League? That gets you noticed, fast. Shams Charania even reported him averaging nearly 19 points, 61% shooting, and 50% on 3s in the Las Vegas Summer League as part of the Lakers G-League program. Those are just ridiculous numbers, showcasing a massive jump in his game.
The Lakers Make A Tough Call, But Kaluma Earns It
Here’s the real talk, though: the Lakers had all three of their two-way spots already filled coming into Summer League. That’s Chris Mañon, AK Okereke, and Peter Suder. So, for Kaluma to get his deal, someone had to make way. It’s the brutal business of the NBA, but it’s a testament to how impactful Kaluma was that the Lakers are willing to make that corresponding move. Who’s the likely casualty? Peter Suder, who didn’t even see the floor in the team’s semifinal loss to the Warriors. That’s a tough break for Suder, but it highlights the opportunity Kaluma created for himself.
Think about the stakes here: the Lakers have a real lack of depth at the forward spot right now. This isn’t just a feel-good story; there could be actual minutes available for Kaluma this year if he can take his Summer League success and translate that into a monster training camp. We saw other guys like Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero have strong summers too, and Chris Mañon also showed out as a two-way player. But Kaluma’s leap from last summer, where he barely saw action, to now getting a two-way deal with potential NBA minutes? That’s the kind of story we live for.
What’s next for Kaluma is the real test. Can he take that insane Vegas momentum and turn it into real contributions for the Lakers? This isn’t just a jump from the G-League; it’s a massive leap in opportunity. We’ll be watching to see if he can keep that fire going and grab those available minutes. It’s going to be wild to see what he does when camp opens!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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