Ugandan basketball fans had a reason to keep an eye on the NBA on Wednesday morning as Arthur Kaluma made his preseason debut for the Los Angeles Lakers, getting an early taste of life with one of basketball’s biggest franchises.
Kaluma, wearing jersey number 47, played 17 minutes as the Lakers fell 101-89 to the Golden State Warriors in a preseason contest. While his first outing did not produce the scoring numbers he would have hoped for, the appearance marked an important step in his journey as he looks to establish himself in the NBA.
The 24-year-old forward finished without points, shooting 0-for-7 from the field, including 0-for-5 from three-point range. He also recorded one steal, two turnovers and finished with a minus-12 rating while on the floor.
It was a difficult shooting night, but preseason basketball is about more than the final numbers. For a player on a two-way contract, every minute on the court presents an opportunity to learn, adjust and show the coaching staff what he can contribute.
Kaluma’s shooting struggles were part of a challenging evening for the Lakers, who were unable to keep pace with the Warriors after a competitive opening quarter.
Both teams scored 29 points in the first period, but Golden State took control in the second quarter, outscoring Los Angeles 34-21 to establish a 63-50 halftime lead. The Warriors maintained their advantage in the second half to secure the 12-point victory.
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 28 points, adding four rebounds and seven assists, but his impressive performance was not enough to prevent the defeat.
For Kaluma, the immediate challenge will be finding his rhythm offensively and making the most of the opportunities that come his way. Going 0-for-7 is not the start any shooter wants, but one preseason appearance is too small a sample to draw firm conclusions about his ability or NBA prospects.
The more important question is how he responds in his next outing. Can he settle into the Lakers’ system, make quicker decisions and turn his energy into useful contributions on both ends of the floor? Those are the areas that will matter as he works to earn more opportunities.
Kaluma’s journey to the Lakers has taken him through several levels of competitive basketball, and his arrival in Los Angeles is another important milestone.
Kaluma, who stands 6 feet 7 inches tall, played college basketball for the Creighton Bluejays, Kansas State Wildcats and Texas Longhorns before turning professional.
His college experience gave him an opportunity to develop his scoring, rebounding and defensive skills, while also learning to compete against different opponents and adapt to different basketball systems.
Kaluma went undrafted in 2025 but continued working towards his NBA dream. His performances in the professional ranks helped him earn an opportunity with the Lakers organisation, initially through the South Bay Lakers, the franchise’s G League team.
He signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on July 21, 2026, opening the door to opportunities with both the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the Coachella Valley Lakers.
For fans wondering what Kaluma’s contract means, a two-way deal allows a player to move between an NBA team and its G League affiliate, subject to the league’s rules.
The G League serves as a development platform where players can gain valuable playing time, improve their skills and work towards earning a more permanent place in the NBA.
For Kaluma, this arrangement offers an important opportunity. He can continue developing his game with the Lakers organisation while competing for opportunities at the highest level.
However, a two-way contract does not guarantee regular NBA minutes. Players must make the most of the opportunities they receive, and consistency can be crucial in convincing coaches that they are ready for a bigger role.
That makes every preseason appearance valuable for Kaluma as he works to demonstrate what he can bring to the team.