Rafael Castro, a 23-year-old rookie center, joins the Los Angeles Lakers roster as of Monday, Oct. 12. The move follows an Oct. 1 report from Brett Siegel that the Houston Rockets had waived him as a two-way player.
The move
Rafael Castro joins the Los Angeles Lakers roster, a move detected from the official roster on Monday, Oct. 12. The 23-year-old rookie center arrives from free agency, with no previous NBA roster spot. The move follows a report from Thursday, Oct. 1, when Brett Siegel reported the Houston Rockets waived two-way player Rafael Castro, with no confidence level given for that report. The Lakers add him to a 22-player roster.
The money
Castro's contract is not on file yet; public salary data can lag a signing by a day. The Lakers carry a payroll of $201.3 million across 16 contracts for 2026-27, putting them over the luxury tax line. The salary cap sits at $165.0 million, the tax line at $200.4 million, the first apron at $209.0 million and the second apron at $221.7 million. Until his deal is filed, it is not known how Castro's deal affects those thresholds.
The fit
Castro has no NBA line from last season, entering as a rookie with no prior pro minutes on record. He joins a center rotation led by Deandre Ayton, who played 27.2 minutes and scored 12.5 points per game last season. The Lakers' top rotation last season also included Luka Doncic at 35.8 minutes and 33.5 points, Austin Reaves at 34.5 minutes and 23.3 points, and LeBron James at 33.2 minutes and 20.9 points. Castro now sits on a 22-player roster, above the standard limit of 15 plus three two-way spots.
What position does Rafael Castro play?
Center.
How old is Rafael Castro?
He is 23.
Was there a report before he joined the Lakers?
Yes. On Thursday, Oct. 1, Brett Siegel reported the Houston Rockets had waived two-way player Rafael Castro.
Is Castro's contract with the Lakers on file?
Not yet. Public salary data can lag a signing by a day.