Pelicans Waived Center Christian Koloko

The team released the veteran center after his brief appearance in a preseason game.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Basketball

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The New Orleans Pelicans waived center Christian Koloko on Wednesday following a preseason loss to the Miami Heat. Koloko had been signed to a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contract earlier in the preseason.

Why it matters

The roster move comes as the team evaluates its frontcourt depth, with Koloko competing for a spot against younger talents like Yves Missi, Derik Queen, and Karlo Matkovic. The move leaves Koloko available as an unrestricted free agent.

During his final four-minute stint against the Miami Heat, Koloko recorded two rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. He has accumulated four years of NBA service time throughout his career.

The players

Christian Koloko

He is an experienced NBA center who has played for multiple franchises including Los Angeles, Memphis, and Atlanta.

New Orleans Pelicans

They are the NBA franchise based in New Orleans that recently adjusted their frontcourt roster.

Walker Kessler

He is a starting center currently sidelined from preseason play due to a finger injury.

The details

Koloko appeared in just one preseason game for New Orleans, which ended in a 128-118 defeat to Miami. The center spent the 2025-26 season playing for Los Angeles, Memphis, and Atlanta, where he averaged 13.2 minutes over 27 appearances.

Koloko missed the entire 2023-24 season due to blood clot issues.
He played for three different teams during the 2025-26 season.
Koloko played four minutes against the Miami Heat on October 8, 2026.
The Pelicans waived him on October 9, 2026.

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Season Trajectory

Teams are currently trimming rosters to meet the 15-player limit ahead of the regular season opener. This release signals a shift in the Pelicans' frontcourt hierarchy as they finalize their rotation for the upcoming schedule.

The Pelicans now have additional roster flexibility as they look to finalize their frontcourt rotation. For the Lakers, acquiring a player like Koloko would require them to reduce their current 16-player roster to meet the league's 15-man limit by opening night.

The takeaway

Roster management in the preseason is a volatile process where veterans often compete with prospects for final bench spots. Teams must balance immediate injury needs with long-term salary and roster size constraints as they prepare for the opening night deadline.