Lakers’ Recent Center Signing Mysteriously Missing From G League Roster

Center Rafael Castro was notably absent from the training camp roster announced by Coachella Valley, the NBA G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers. Castro had recently signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Lakers on October 12 before being waived, positioning him to join the affiliate team alongside fellow signees Meechie Johnson, Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, William Kyle III, and Chase Ross.

Coachella Valley instead reinforced its frontcourt by selecting Faizon Fields and Tegra Izay in the G League Draft, while also acquiring the rights to French center Kalifa Sakho via a trade with the Wisconsin Herd. The moves come as the Lakers monitor frontcourt options following early-season rotational difficulties at center.