Memphis has signed the former Lakers center to a second 10-day contract

The Memphis Grizzlies announced Friday that the team has signed center Christian Kolok another 10-day contract using the injury exception. As is standard team policy, the team did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. This is Kolok’s second short-term deal with Memphis after first joining the roster on Dec. 22.

A 25-year-old 6-foot-11, 230-pound center, Koloko appeared in five games during his first 10-day contract with the Grizzlies, including one start. During those appearances, he averaged 18.6 minutes per game with 2.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.2 steals and 1.0 assists. In that span, he shot 45.5 percent from the field. His addition provided depth in the frontcourt and improved edge protection amid ongoing injuries across the roster.

The Grizzlies are eligible to use exception contracts after an extended absence, and the team currently qualifies due to injuries to several players. Big men Brandon Clarke and rookie Zach Edey were unavailable, limiting Memphis’ options at center, while guards Scotty Pippen Jr. and John Konchar were also unavailable. Ty Jerome also missed time, leaving the Grizzlies with at least five players expected to be sidelined until mid-January. Under NBA rules, hardship exceptions allow teams to temporarily exceed the standard 15-man limit when four or more players are unavailable for an extended period.

Kolok’s second 10-day contract entitles him to appear in Memphis for the next six games and expires after the Grizzlies’ Jan. 11 matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. NBA rules allow players to sign a maximum of two 10-day contracts with the same team in a season, meaning Memphis will have to decide whether to offer Kollock a contract through the end of the season if they want to keep him beyond that date.

Originally selected 33rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors, Koloko appeared in 58 games as a rookie, averaging 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and one block in 13.8 minutes per contest. During his NBA career with the Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers and Grizzlies, he played in 102 games with 20 starts, compiling career averages of 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game.

A health problem with blood clots ended Kolok’s career in April 2023 and sidelined him for an extended period. In January 2024, he was waived by Toronto and referred to the NBA Fitness to Play Panel, which prohibited him from practicing or playing until medically cleared by the league. He was reinstated in October 2024.

After being cleared, Koloko signed a two-way contract with the Lakers in September 2024 and appeared in 37 games with the team last season, averaging 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds. Los Angeles waived him in November 2025 after signing Drew Timme. He then spent time in the NBA G League with the South Bay Lakers and Austin Spurs. Austin acquired him on December 15, and a week later he signed a contract with Memphis.

At 15–19 and in ninth place in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies continue to rely on short-term roster flexibility amid ongoing injuries.