Lakers sign pair of former SEC standouts to two-way contracts

The Los Angeles Lakers are wrapping up a strong 2023 NBA free agency by adding a bit more talent in the form of two-way contracts. While incoming rookies Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis are the two headliners of the draft class, the latest additions for the Lakers are also rookies who impressed during their collegiate careers.

Per RealGM, Los Angeles has inked center Colin Castleton and guard D'Moi Hodge to two-way contracts. Castleton started all 26 games last season for the Florida Gators while averaging 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.0 blocks per game. The 6-foot-11 big man was named to the All-SEC First Team. 

Castleton's 2022-23 numbers were strong but were actually down slightly in certain areas from his performance the year prior. He posted marks of 16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.2 blocks on 54.6 percent shooting in 2021-22.

As for Hodge, the 6-foot-4 guard spent the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons with Cleveland State, averaging 15.4 points and shooting 48.2 percent from the field in his second season. He then spent the 2022-23 season with the Missouri Tigers and again posted strong numbers from a scoring perspective.

Hodge averaged 14.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game last year while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and an impressive 40 percent from three-point range over 35 games.

While both players will almost certainly spend the bulk of their time in the G-League, their skillset on both ends of the floor is noteworthy and could be worth monitoring through the 2023 NBA Summer League as well.