​Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesCarson Cooper has played barely three minutes in the NBA, but his four years at Michigan State give the Los Angeles Lakers a much better idea of what he can offer. The Lakers signed him to a two-way contract on November 10, waiving Lawson Lovering just two weeks after signing him. It is just another move in their search for frontcourt help, and Cooper’s college numbers show exactly why he’s worth a shot.A 6-foot-11, 245-pound center from Jackson, Michigan, Cooper spent four seasons playing for the Spartans. He averaged 1.6 points in 11 minutes as a freshman before carving out a role in the rotation as a sophomore, when he averaged 3.4 points and 1.2 rebounds in 28 starts.As a junior, he raised those averages to 5.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game while improving his free-throw shooting to 74.4%. His senior year was his biggest breakthrough. Cooper started all 35 games, averaging 11.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 26.8 minutes while shooting 58.4% from the field. He helped the Spartans reach the Sweet 16, finishing his Michigan State career with 43 starts.Cooper went undrafted in 2026, but did manage to sign a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. His only appearance came against the Sacramento Kings on October 31. In three minutes and 13 seconds, he made just one of two free throws, grabbed two defensive rebounds, and recorded an assist.That is a very small sample size to judge. So his senior year remains the best starting point for understanding what the Lakers are getting. The clean fit in Los Angeles is as a screen setter and a roll man. Alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, Cooper can function in the offense by making solid contact on screens, rolling hard, and finishing the chances those exceptional guards create.His college shooting numbers reflect that inside game. He doesn’t project as a floor spacer, so he’ll have to make himself useful around the basket without clogging driving lanes.Defense will likely determine whether he gets a real shot with the Lakers. The Lakers do have Kevon Looney as a backup, but he has failed to impress so far. So Cooper does have a real chance. Rebounding and contesting shots are part of the job, but the biggest test will be whether Cooper can defend the pick-and-roll, recover to his man, and finish the possession with a rebound.The South Bay Lakers should give him minutes to work on these needs. Cooper did earn a bigger role at Michigan State, and the Lakers are giving him a chance to do it again in this league against professionals.