Former Lakers Center Finds New Home After Three NBA Teams Cut Ties

Former Los Angeles Lakers center Rafael Castro has signed a standard contract with the Mexico City Capitanes in the NBA G League. The 23-year-old rookie went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft before being waived by three different organizations throughout the offseason, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Houston Rockets, and the Lakers.

Castro initially joined Los Angeles on an Exhibit 10 deal on October 12, appearing in two preseason games before being left off their affiliate roster. Rather than joining the Coachella Valley Lakers, the 6-foot-10 big man chose the independent Capitanes, where he remains eligible to sign an NBA two-way contract.