The New Orleans Pelicans have made their second training camp signing by bringing in Christian Koloko, according to HoopsHype's Mike Scotto. Koloko is likely to compete with Kobe Bufkin for the team's final two-way spot. The former Raptor, Laker, Grizzly, and Hawk has bounced around the league after being drafted at No. 33 in the 2022 NBA Draft by Toronto, mostly due to off-the-court health issues. Coming out of Arizona, Koloko was the primary role man on a Wildcats team that was starred by Bennedict Mathurin, who is rumored to be a current target for the Pelicans.
Koloko came into the league as an athletic, play-finishing, dynamic shot-blocker with a very similar style to current New Orleans big man Yves Missi. At 26 years old, I believe there is still some untapped potential with Koloko, especially if his health allows him to stay on the court.
The issue is he is an upside play, and another unproven big to a roster full of unproven bigs. Going into next season, this team won’t be able to compete with their lack of experience.
Koloko only highlights how poor the Pelicans’ center rotation is
Something that has been clear throughout the Joe Dumars era is his desire to build around Zion Williamson, and while some hate that idea, I see the vision. When he’s at his best, he’s a downhill monster, a bully in the post, an elite rim finisher, and a high-level drive and kick. However, even though he can be great, he’d be even better if he was paired with a bruising glass cleaner in the paint that can get stops at the rim and provide a reliable rebounding presence.
At 6-foot-6, Zion has shown time and time again he isn’t ever really going to be some beast on the boards, not only because of his height but also because of his offensive workload.
Coming into the offseason, it was clear this team needed to add more floor spacers to open up the game and get with the times a little bit more. That need for shooting was trumped by the need to add a center, especially if the goal is to maximize Zion and get him to an MVP level.
We’ve seen over the last several years with teams like the Celtics that a win-by-committee approach at center can really work; the question now becomes: how ready are the Pels' big men? Between Karlo Matkovic, Derik Queen, Missi, and potentially Koloko, the Pelicans have a group of big men who all offer unique skill sets and, in theory, can match the quality of a starting center. But with how unproven all four of them are, it’s not really setting Zion or this team up for major success in 2026-27.
While inviting Koloko to training camp is a fun upside swing and New Orleans could uncover another fun bench big man at the end of the day, he isn’t enough. The Pelicans needed a starting center or some form of experience at the five, not just for the team but for Zion Williamson, and Joe Dumars failed to do that.
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