Former Vanderbilt guard Chris Mañon plans to sign a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, per Shams Charania.
The Los Angeles Lakers plan to sign 7-footer Christian Koloko and forward Chris Manon on two-way NBA contracts, sources tell ESPN. Manon, undrafted out of Vanderbilt, played for the Warriors in California and Las Vegas summer leagues. Koloko played 37 games for L.A. last season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 21, 2025
The New Jersey native transferred to Vanderbilt after three seasons at Cornell. In his lone season as a Commodore, Mañon started 26 of 33 games and averaged 6.6 points per contest. His minutes were largely earned on the defensive end, where he led the team with 1.7 steals per game. A game-sealing block to defeat Tennessee on Jan. 18 further demonstrated his defensive impact.
Mañon’s defensive intensity and versatility earned him a spot on the Golden State Warriors’ Summer League roster, the only Vanderbilt player to do so besides AJ Hoggard. In seven appearances with Golden State during the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, Mañon averaged nine points per game and secured a starting role by the tournament’s conclusion.
After declining to re-sign with the Warriors, Mañon joins the Lakers with the chance to play alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić. With Los Angeles struggling defensively last season, particularly on the perimeter, Mañon’s energy and defensive versatility could benefit one of basketball’s most storied franchises. If he can translate his Summer League success into regular-season production, he could become a key part of the Lakers’ rotation.