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The Los Angeles Lakers could upgrade at the center position by adding Robert Williams for the low price tag of Rui Hachimura in a new trade idea offered up to fix their biggest defensive problems.
The Los Angeles Lakers have rarely enjoyed a clean bill of health this season, with injuries forcing constant adjustments to their rotation.
That trend had begun to ease in recent weeks. Outside of long-term absentees Austin Reaves and rookie Adou Thiero, Los Angeles entered its last few games with a clear injury report.
Ahead of Monday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls, however, that brief stretch of stability may be coming to an end.
Lakers Face Fresh Injury Question
Following the Lakers’ 116-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Jake LaRavia has unexpectedly appeared as questionable on the injury report due to a left quad contusion.
Jake LaRavia is questionable for Monday in Chicago, per the Lakers
It remains unclear when the injury occurred. LaRavia logged 30 minutes in Dallas, finishing with 13 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one block while shooting 4-of-8 from the field and knocking down two three-pointers.
Injury concerns also surfaced elsewhere during the game. Marcus Smart appeared to jam his finger after deflecting a pass but stayed on the floor. Postgame, he revealed that he had dislocated the finger, popped it back in, and continued playing.
The injury affected Smart’s right index finger, the same finger he underwent surgery on last summer, according to Lakers reporter Mike Trudell.
With the former Defensive Player of the Year not appearing on the injury report, it doesn’t appear as though he will miss time.
Lakers Lean on LaRavia’s Growing Role
LaRavia’s potential absence would be notable. After Rui Hachimura suffered a right calf strain in late December, the 24-year-old was elevated into the starting lineup and has remained there ever since.
Across 44 games this season, he’s averaging 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 34.4% from three-point range.
In the 23 games he’s started, those numbers have jumped to 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 steals on improved shooting splits.
Signed to a two-year, $12 million deal last offseason, the 6-foot-7 forward has filled a clear need. His defensive versatility, floor spacing, and ability to play within the flow of the offense have helped the Lakers maintain balance alongside their stars.
With Reaves nearing a return, the starting lineup was already due for another reshuffle, a timeline that could accelerate if LaRavia is forced to miss time.
Lakers Navigate Travel Chaos Ahead of Bulls Game
Complicating matters further, a major winter storm disrupted travel across much of the United States over the weekend, prompting the NBA to cancel two games on Sunday, the Denver Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks vs. Milwaukee Bucks.
Dallas was unable to fly to Milwaukee, leading to the latter cancellation. The Lakers, however, appear to have avoided similar issues.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, a Lakers team spokesperson confirmed the team’s plane departed Chicago shortly after 5:00 p.m. CT on Sunday following several delays.
The flight was originally scheduled to leave from Love Field before shifting to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The former was the same airport the Mavericks were unable to depart from, per NBA insider Marc Stein.
For now, all signs point towards Monday’s game in Chicago going ahead as scheduled. Though, once again, the Lakers’ health remains anything but settled.
Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
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