There’s no firm timetable for LeBron James to resume playing, but Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters before Wednesday’s game that it will likely be during the second or third week of November, relays Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link). That confirms a report two weeks ago from ESPN’s Shams Charania, who pegged mid-November as the most likely time for James to return.
James is expected to be reevaluated later this week to determine how much progress he’s made in his bout with sciatica. He reportedly began experiencing the nerve condition during the summer and it affected him through the start of training camp.
Redick also provided an update on Luka Doncic, who is missing his third straight game tonight with a finger sprain and leg contusion. Redick said they hope to have Doncic back in the next “couple of games,” adding that his left hand has gone from twice its normal size to about one and a half times the size it should be (Twitter link). Doncic is considered day-to-day, but he’s not with the team on its current road trip, which ends Friday at Memphis.
There’s more on the Lakers:
- Backup center Jaxson Hayes was upgraded to available for tonight’s game after missing the past three contests with soreness in his left knee, per Dan Woike of The Athletic (Twitter link). Hayes played 14 minutes in the opener for his only action this season. Marcus Smart is missing his second straight game with a right quad contusion.
- The Lakers announced that Adou Thiero has been cleared for live on-court contact work, according to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register (Twitter link). The next step is 5-on-5 activities, which will begin soon at practice with the NBA team and the G League South Bay Lakers. The rookie forward is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in college.
- The absences of James and Doncic has forced Austin Reaves into a larger ball-handling role, and he’s formed an instant chemistry with Deandre Ayton, Price states in a full story. Along with his 92 points over the past two games, Reaves has handed out 14 assists, many of them to Ayton as a pick-and-roll partner. “He’s been awesome,” Reaves said. “He’s been very receptive to listening to not only what I have to say, Luka, Bron, the front office, coaches, he’s been very locked into everything that we’ve told him. And then take everything that we told him, but on the back end of that, we give him a voice. We ask him what he wants, what he likes and try to make that work together. Four games in, I feel like he’s continued to build on that, and it’s been very, very good.”
Reaves >>>>>> to Rockets.
Sheppard, future #1pick, two 2nd rd picks >>>>>
to Lakers.
Or just wait to the money from FVV and just sign someone. No way they give up on Reed this season.
This trade doesn’t make much sense from either perspective. Lakers need a star to pair with Luka with Bron injured on an expiring deal. Austin is looking like he could be that star.
His ppg in the last 5 games was almost the same as SGA whose salary is 4 times bigger…
Also Reeves has shown he can play next to Luka and still be productive and efficient. lol
Luka and Reaves are liabilities on defense. Luka doesn’t play much D. And Reaves is ok but not good enough to cover for Luka. Like Dyson covers for Trae. If you understood basketball is a 2way sport. You might get it. Stars don’t win Teams do. Sheppard and the pick are better fits. Gives them depth. With Bron leaving they will have plenty of feria to sign another young star.
Luka was playing great D before getting injured, and moving great. Austin plays very good and smart D as well.
What does this accomplish for Lakers?? Other than getting picks? Reeves is their 3rd best player, and you want to trade him for???
In about three years Sheppard could be better than Reaves. Do you believe in Defense. They are not a good fit defensively or offensively imo.
They are building around Luka. Reaves isn’t a fit. Sheppard and picks gives you depth and better fit.
See what Dyson does for Trae …..
I’m not a Luka guy. I know he needs help on D. That means a rim protector and defensive stud next to him at guard. Reaves isn’t that guy.
The Lakers never ever doing they trade!
This injury right now has been great for the Lakers. Ayton, LaRavia, and even Knecht are getting a huge confidence boost.
A healthy Lakers team is a true top tier contender.
They are playing better than I thought They would. Thats for sure. And that’s without Bron too.
Without Bron, Luka l, Smart, Vincent. The past 3 games they had 5-6 of their rotation players out including their two superstars!
They only lost to Portland cause it was back to back and they had only 5 of their rotation players available for both games.
I said when Luka got hurt this is the best thing for the Lakers forcing JJ to play their bench. Also showing how they do not need LeBron next year instead using that money on reeves long term.
Even if they pay Reaves the max ($41.5M), which is looking like they will need to do, they still will have lots of cap room.
Reaves cap hold will only be $21M next year. Their current payroll for next year is $105M, with the team Cap Max at $166M. That means they will be able to keep Ayton, Smart and still have about $30-35M to spend under the cap l, if they don’t retain LeBron or Rui (or spend part of that on Rui).
Then if they have traded Bron and/or Rui, they will have Cap exception to acquire another big player. Pay Reaves or the Max, have tax mid level exception and then round out the team with vet minimum players.
new owners let LeBron go and bring in some young players that help out Luka and Reeves. mainly a good 2 way player.
Maybe a contender to upset a round or 2, but they’re not deep enough to legit make the finals. Plus LeBron is old. And don’t get used to the Jekyll side of Dominayton…
The last 3 games the lakers are showing that they are a very deep team. Last 3 games they had Luka, Bron, Smart, Vincent, Kleber and Hayes (he played tonight, but missed the other two.
They won two of those three, including beating Minnesota. They would have beaten Portland too, but it was their second night of back to back and they only had 5 rotation players playing both nights, won first night and were gassed late second night.
The superstars out early has been great for the Lakers to get their other guys much confidence. LaRavia was 10/11 tonight with 5/6 from 3 for 27 points.
Ayton has been great since the second game. Reaves is going to get max contract next summer, and make his first All Star this year. Smart, Vando and LaRavia have been great on defense.
The Lakers are legit contenders.
They beat the kings and Minnesota without Ant and lost to Portland. That makes you think they are contenders?
Lol, MN only had Ant missing. The Lakers had Doncic, Bron, Smart, and Vincent missing. Plus, the Lakers beat MN a few nights earlier by 18 points with Ant playing.
They only lost to Portland because it was the second night of back to back and the Lakers had only 5 rotation players both nights and they got gassed in the 4th quarter.
So, yes, this is a legit contender, IMO the favorite, contenders.
If LeBron cares about winning, he would retire and free up the salary for the lakers
Last year isn’t this year. If you want people to stop thinking you’re a troll, you should probably learn how a calendar works
Tons of data. Lakers have played 5 games and LeBron hasnt scored a single point. Man it must suck glazing scoreless bums
Exactly, whatever I say is right. Go ahead prove me wrong, point to where LeBron scored a basket this year
I have a real question for true Laker fans ……
Do you believe in Lukas defense ??
Do you believe in Lukas and Reaves defense as a backcourt ??
Basketball is a 2way sport. Imo what Dyson does for Trae. Is what Lakers need to find for Luka. Reaves can get you that or a better fit player or players in a trade. Plus Bron money coming off also helps to add RIGHT players. This is Lukas team now ……. Right !!!!
So wouldn’t you want the right players around him. Reaves is due for a new deal.
Imo I take Dyson over Reaves next to Luka every day.
Not saying trade for him. But you can find a similar player. Doesn’t have to be a Sheppard trade. I believe Sheppard in a few yrs could be a top player. The most important thing is a better fit for Luka.
Luka and Reaves defense is probably a better defensive backcourt than Luka and Kyrie