The Los Angeles Lakers have been unlucky so far this year in regards to injuries, as multiple players have missed time and the season is not yet halfway over. The backcourt has gotten healthy in recent weeks as point guards D’Angelo Russell and Jose Calderon have both returned from injuries.
The front court is still without some key players though, as Tarik Black has begun dressing for games but has not seen any action returning from an ankle injury, and Larry Nance Jr. is currently out for an extended period of time with a bone bruise in his knee.
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The Lakers recently worked out free agent forward Donatas Motiejunas, but whether or not they intend to sign him or any other front court free agent remains to be seen.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak recently commented on that matter, saying that he and the front office are currently uncertain about adding another player, via Mark Medina of the OC Register:
“There’s a lot to consider,” Kupchak said. “A big part is Larry’s condition going forward. At first, we thought it was an ACL and he could be out for the season. But knock on wood, it’s a bone bruise and he seems to be getting better quickly.”
The emergence of Thomas Robinson could also play a factor in if the Lakers sign any big men. Robinson has averaged 17.9 minutes in the last five games and has been very efficient averaging 7.4 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 73.9 percent from the field.
Motiejunas does give the Lakers a type of player they don’t currently have though, and that’s a big man that can stretch the floor and knock down threes consistently.
Los Angeles has lost 14 of its 16 games in December, so a free agent addition could be what they need to turn it around and salvage the season before it’s too late.