{"id":63925,"date":"2024-02-13T08:01:34","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T13:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=63925"},"modified":"2024-02-13T08:01:34","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T13:01:34","slug":"lakers-news-four-players-could-return-after-all-star-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/02\/13\/lakers-news-four-players-could-return-after-all-star-break\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers News: Four Players Could Return After All-Star Break"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Lakers have dealt with injury hurdles all season long, but they could be a few steps closer to getting back to full strength. <\/span>The team announced Monday<\/span><\/a> that <\/span>Jarred Vanderbilt<\/span><\/a> (right foot sprain), <\/span>Max Christie<\/span><\/a> (right ankle sprain), <\/span>Cam Reddish<\/span><\/a> (right ankle sprain) and <\/span>Gabe Vincent<\/span><\/a> (left knee surgery) will all be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the trade deadline behind them and the signing of <\/a><\/span>Spencer Dinwiddie<\/span><\/a> now official, what\u2019s next for the Lakers heading into the back end of the season, and how can these four help out when they return?<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers News: Four Players Could Return After All-Star Break<\/h2>\n

What the Lakers Are Missing<\/b><\/h3>\n

Despite adding Dinwiddie and the Lakers winning four of their last five, the team has missed these four players greatly. Vanderbilt has served as one of LA\u2019s top defensive threats, with his length and versatility able to shut down the opponents\u2019 best players. Reddish was right behind him, acting as an athletic 3-and-D wing the Lakers relied on in key moments. Christie made the most of his opportunities when injuries hit LA early, performing well when both starting and coming off the bench. And Vincent, who has only played five games this year, could still be a key ball-handler if he remains healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lakers have handled the injury bug with mixed results, relying heavily on <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Anthony Davis<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/span><\/a>. The rest of the team\u2019s rotation\u2014<\/span>Rui Hachimura<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Christian Wood<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Taurean Prince<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Jaxson Hayes<\/span><\/a>\u2014have also had their moments. However, the attention has been mainly on the first four to carry them to victory. Their depth has been able to both beat some of the best teams in the NBA and lose to the worst ones in embarrassing fashion. The four role players being out has forced the rest of the team to step up greatly. While they\u2019ve laudably responded to the challenge, the Lakers are still in the Play-in picture\u2014a disappointing reality when many expected them to be title contenders.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lakers did make small adjustments to help shoulder the load. Before bringing in Dinwiddie, the team signed <\/span>Skylar Mays<\/span><\/a> to a two-way contract and gave him some opportunities early on. They also have several rookies and two-way players who may be called up if needed. The Lakers have two more games\u2014against the Pistons and Jazz\u2014before the All-Star break, but their schedule will only grow tougher from there.<\/span><\/p>\n

How the Returns Will Complicate the Lakers\u2019 Rotation<\/b><\/h3>\n

Though the timetables for Vanderbilt, Christie, Reddish and Vincent are to be determined, they will inevitably lead to some more questions within the Lakers\u2019 rotation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their current starting lineup is Russell, Reaves, James, Hachimura and Davis. That group has gone 3-0 so far and, according to Darvin Ham, will stick around for now. Dinwiddie will assume the backup point guard role to Russell, leading to potentially diminished roles for VIncent and Christie upon their returns. In the frontcourt, Hachimura has finally flourished after an efficient but inconsistent season, helping Davis and his team-high 35.8 MPG immensely. Vanderbilt and Reddish returning will mean more depth behind Davis and James\u2014including an increased defensive presence. However, it could also complicate the starting lineup that, so far, has worked wonders for the Lakers. Vando and Hachimura have made worthy cases for a starting spot, but Ham can only play one of them next to LeBron and AD.<\/span><\/p>\n

The minutes distribution isn\u2019t the only thing to consider in March\u2014the opponents matter, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Gonna be a very, very difficult stretch coming up for the Lakers\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/QlzuUx1JcH<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jake (@playoffjake) February 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n