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When the Los Angeles Lakers tipped off their NBA Summer League schedule, all three of their two-way contract slots were already occupied. It didn't take long for Arthur Kaluma to change those plans. The 24-year-old forward made an immediate impression, prompting the Lakers to act swiftly—signing him to a two-way deal and waiving undrafted rookie guard Peter Suder to make room.
Kaluma is no stranger to the organization. After going undrafted in 2025, he joined the Lakers for training camp and preseason before landing with their G League affiliate. While he's technically a rookie in the NBA, his path has been anything but conventional. His opportunity at the NBA level this season remains uncertain, but what is certain is that he'll see extensive live-game action with the Coachella Valley Lakers in the G League.
Even with the freedom he'll enjoy in the G League, Kaluma understands the specific adjustments required to share the floor with stars like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. "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."
Summer League Standout
Kaluma has yet to appear in an NBA game, but he did see action in one preseason contest with the Lakers this year. His breakthrough came during Summer League, where he suited up for seven games across the California Classic and Las Vegas. He averaged just over 17 points per game while shooting 55.1% from the field, 38.9% from beyond the arc, and 79.2% from the free-throw line.
Having spent his first professional year within the Lakers system, Kaluma already possesses a level of familiarity and comfort. The Lakers' new G League head coach, Alex Cerda, was on staff last season as an assistant under Zach Guthrie, further easing the transition.
Kaluma also views the G League as a legitimate training ground for players aiming to break into the NBA—provided they approach it with the right mindset. "Definitely, if you approach it the correct way. It's an opportunity for you to get better," he 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."
Navigating Two-Way Life
On a two-way contract, Kaluma is limited to a maximum of 50 NBA appearances. He has already been active for a couple of Lakers games this season, though he hasn't seen playing time—those games still count toward his limit. Since the G League season began on Nov. 6, Kaluma has been with Coachella Valley full-time. But he knows his number could be called at any moment, potentially without warning.
"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."
Originally reported by yahoo.