Ex Longhorns Forward Makes Strong Case for NBA Contract

Former Texas Longhorns basketball star Arthur Kaluma is doing his best to force Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka into a difficult decision once it's time to finalize the franchise's 2026-27 roster. 

Kaluma has been a revelation for the Lakers in the 2026 NBA Summer League — specifically since arriving for Las Vegas competition. 

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The 24-year-old Boston native followed up his perfect, 5-of-5, 18-point performance in a 96-84 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder with yet another standout showing. 

In a 21-point beat down of the Dallas Mavericks, Kaluma led all scorers with 34 points ... including 6-of-10 from beyond the arc ... producing the second-highest individual scoring total in Summer League thus far.

Only Caleb Wilson of the Chicago Bulls has logged more through his 35-point explosion in his Vegas debut. 

For context — Wilson, the UNC standout, was the fourth overall pick in the 2026 class, which is widely projected to become one of the best ever. 

Kaluma signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Los Angeles after going undrafted in 2025 and spent his entire rookie campaign on its G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. 

Yet, just nine days into Summer League, Wilson and Kaluma stand alone at the top. 

That means something ... on multiple fronts. 

Kaluma's NBA outlook was never going to hinge on what he could provide defensively.

The former Longhorn has always possessed the size, athleticism and versatility required to guard multiple positions at the highest level.

The question was whether the offensive side of his game would ever catch up.

Through two games in Las Vegas, the answer is looking increasingly like yes.

The development is obviously great for Kaluma, who is going to make it incredibly difficult for LA not to at least consider handing him a two-way contract. 

It's great for the Lakers, who, in a post-LeBron James world, need all the young talent they can get. Finding hidden gems in July is a massive advantage to future roster construction. 

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And it's great for the Longhorns and their fan base, who get to watch former teammates at Texas, Kaluma and Tre Johnson, shine in Vegas just as they did in Austin just days after receiving a commitment from Marcus Spears Jr., the former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2027 class. 

Texas men's basketball's present and future are both looking awfully bright right now.