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Lakers Steal ‘Fortress Guardian’ from Warriors After Sizzling Summer – 4 Steals, 2 Blocks Finale!

Posted on July 22, 2025 - 2:10 am by

The NBA Summer League is where dreams take flight, and for young hoopers, it’s the ultimate stage to prove they belong. This summer in Las Vegas, one player turned heads and earned his shot: Chris Manon, a 6-foot-5 defensive dynamo who went from undrafted to undeniable. After a standout performance with the Golden State Warriors, Manon has inked a two-way contract with their Pacific Division rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Manon, a 23-year-old guard, lit up the Summer League with his relentless hustle and defensive prowess. In Golden State’s 3-2 Las Vegas campaign, he capped things off with a jaw-dropping performance in an 82-71 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. Manon dropped 17 points on an ultra-efficient 4-for-5 from the field, while snagging five rebounds, dishing two assists, swiping four steals, and swatting two blocks. It was a masterclass in two-way dominance, showcasing why he’s earned the nickname “Fortress Guardian” for his ability to lock down opponents and protect the rim.

Across five Summer League games, Manon averaged a well-rounded 11.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. His defensive instincts and high-energy play were impossible to ignore, making him a standout in a sea of hungry prospects. While he suited up for the Warriors in both the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, it was the Lakers who swooped in to secure his services.

ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news on X, writing, “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.”

Manon’s journey to this moment has been one of grit and growth. After three years at Cornell, he transferred to Vanderbilt for his final college season, where he averaged 6.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, shooting an impressive 53.3% from the field. His defensive tenacity and ability to impact both ends of the floor caught the eye of NBA scouts, setting the stage for his Summer League breakout.

For the Lakers, Manon is a steal—a versatile, hard-nosed guard who brings intensity and playmaking to a roster looking to blend youth with championship aspirations. His defensive mindset and hustle fit perfectly with the Lakers’ need for players who can make an immediate impact on a two-way deal. As Manon prepares to don the purple and gold, the Warriors may be left wondering how their “Fortress Guardian” slipped through their fingers.