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Lakers Make Big Roster Decision for Playoff Series Against Timberwolves

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 10:52 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers will be without two of their players for their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which starts on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.

While the team will have its full complement of star players in LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves, as ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on Tuesday, L.A. will be down two reserve players who both played key roles during the season.

“Lakers two-way players Trey Jemison III and Christian Koloko were not converted to full fledge NBA contracts before the regular season ended, so they are ineligible to play in the playoffs,” McMenamin wrote. “However, both practiced with the team today and will be with the team for the playoff run.”

Lakers two-way players Trey Jemison III and Christian Koloko were not converted to full fledge NBA contracts before the regular season ended, so they are ineligible to play in the playoffs. However, both practiced with the team today and will be with the team for the playoff run.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 16, 2025

Koloko, a 7-foot-1, 220-pound center, provided needed depth in the front court while adding a commanding presence while guarding the rim. He averaged 2.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 9.2 minutes per game this season in 37 appearances.

Jemison began the year with the New Orleans Pelicans before joining the Lakers on Jan. 15 on a two-way contract. He averaged 2.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 10.3 minutes per game in 22 appearances. Many analysts feel he’s more of a future piece for L.A.

The Lakers split their regular-season series with the Timberwolves.

Los Angeles earned a 110-103 win in the season opener on Oct. 22 and a 111-102 victory on Feb. 27 while falling 109-80 on Dec. 2 and 97-87 on Dec. 13.

That Feb. 27 matchup was the only one the Lakers had all of James, Doncic and Reaves in the lineup (Doncic was acquired via trade from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis on Feb. 2).

In that game, James went off for 33 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists, Doncic added 21 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, and Reaves chipped in 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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