Arthur Kaluma, the guy who went totally undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, is lighting up the Summer League for the Lakers right now, averaging a flat-out ridiculous 20.3 points in just four games. This isn't just some solid showing, either, dude is a sixth man off the bench dropping buckets for 22.7 minutes a game, and it’s getting impossible to ignore.
From Undrafted to Unstoppable? Kaluma's Numbers Are Insane
Look, the Lakers scouting department has to be feeling pretty good about this one, even if it took a minute. After getting passed over in the draft, Kaluma got a deal to play in the 2025 Summer League and went to training camp with the team. They ended up waiving him before the season started, but wisely kept him around for their G-League squad. Fast forward a year, and the payoff is here.
His scoring is just unreal, man. We're talking 63.9% from the field and a blistering 54.5% from deep on 5.5 attempts per game! He’s adding 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists, but let's be real, his scoring is the headline. He’s not just one of the best on the Lakers; he's legit ranking among the best players in the entire tournament, blowing past guys with way more experience or bigger names. Remember that 34-point explosion against the Mavericks on Saturday? The guy was shooting the lights out from deep, and that’s what really put him on the wider NBA radar. His efficiency in all four games has been legit, and even his defense isn't too shabby.
The Journey and the Quote That Says It All
Kaluma’s path hasn't been easy, either. He bounced from Creighton to Kansas State and then Texas in college, even declared for the 2023 draft before pulling out to go to Kansas State. At six-foot-eight with a seven-foot wingspan, he wasn't initially seen as having much of an NBA future. But he put in the work, averaging 13.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists down in the G-League last year. He knows his game, too. Here's what he said, and it tells you everything:
"(I can play) wherever you need me. I'm not going to lie to you. I pride myself on the defensive end. I know I got hot offensively, but the shot was just falling (Saturday), you know what I'm saying? My game is 3-and-D. I lock up on defense and I know I can hit open shots. I just got hot … and I'm not going to try to let it get to my head."
The Clock Is Ticking: What Happens Next?
The biggest problem? This dude doesn't have a guaranteed NBA contract for next year. That means the Lakers, or any other team, can swoop in and sign him to a two-way deal. The Lakers already have all three of their two-way spots filled, which is a major snag. They'd have to make a move, like upgrading Chris Manon to a regular contract or waiving Pete Suder, who's been struggling out in Vegas. Given how well Kaluma has been playing, and how much teams value forwards and wings, the Lakers seriously have to act now or risk losing this breakout star to another team. The stakes are high; they really can’t afford to let this talent walk away.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.