LA Lakers Rumors Roundup: Team might sign former All-Star free agent, D’Angelo Russell's return timeline revealed, and more
The LA Lakers are reportedly considering working out former four-time NBA All-Star point guard Kemba Walker.
In other news, Lakers combo guard D’Angelo Russell is expected to return in the near future.
On that note, here are the latest rumors surrounding the LA Lakers as of March 7, 2023.
LA Lakers might sign former All-Star free agent
The LA Lakers have been riddled with injuries this season. Lakers star forward LeBron James is expected to miss at least another couple of weeks with a right foot injury. Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell has missed five straight games with a right ankle injury.
This reportedly has the Lakers scouring the free-agent market for an additional playmaker to fortify their roster. According to Lakers Daily, Kemba Walker is one player LA is considering bringing in for a workout:
“Sources tell Lakers Daily that the Lakers are considering bringing in Kemba Walker for a workout. The team is looking for another ball handler, with LeBron James expected to miss extended time due to a foot injury."
Kemba Walker, 32, only appeared in nine games for the Dallas Mavericks this season before being waived on January 6. He finished with averages of 8.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 3-pointers per game on 42.1% shooting.
LA (31-34, 11th in the West) is on the brink of entering the play-in picture in the West. The Lakers are now in a four-way tie with Utah, Portland and New Orleans for the final two play-in spots. However, they do not own the tiebreaker with the Jazz and Trail Blazers. So every game will be of increased importance for LA moving forward.
D’Angelo Russell’s return imminent
D’Angelo Russell has missed the last five games due to a right ankle sprain. However, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, there is hope that Russell will be able to return soon:
“D’Angelo Russell is clearly closer than LeBron James, I think they thought he would be back by now... It was a day-to-day injury, it was an ankle sprain, but the hope is that he’s back sooner than later."
"I don't know if the Lakers think he's gonna be back in 3 weeks. I don't think it'll be just the 3 weeks — likely beyond that."
@ShamsCharania on LeBron James' timeline for a return to action 👀
(via @FanDuelTV)
https://t.co/t2riDGc1C6
Russell is officially listed as questionable to return on Tuesday versus Memphis (38-25, second in the West). If he is not ready by then, his next opportunity to suit up will be on Friday against Toronto (32-34, ninth in the East).
Russell has averaged 13.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.0 apg and 1.5 3pg while shooting 44.2% and 35.3% from three through four games with LA. The Lakers have gone 3-1 with Russell in the lineup.
LeBron James could be out more than three weeks
It was initially reported that LeBron James would miss at least three weeks due to his right foot tendon injury. This had LA Lakers fans hopeful that James would be ready to return at the early end of his timeline. However, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, there is concern that James will be out beyond his three-week re-evaluation timeline:
“Yes, they need LeBron James back in the lineup. We don’t know when that will be. Three-week re-evaluation for him, and even after that, I don’t know if the Lakers think he’s gonna be back in three weeks. I don’t think it’ll be just the three weeks — likely beyond that."
Charania added that this could put James in line to return shortly before the start of the play-in tournament:
“And so, you put yourself in a position where you hope that he’s back right before the playoffs or he gets back for the play-in."
.@ShamsCharania says the #Lakers will re-evaluate LeBron James in 3 weeks, with “hope that he’s back right before the playoffs” 😬
#RunItBack with @MichelleDBeadle @ChandlerParsons & @bansky https://t.co/Vbt95tCWMK
James is averaging 29.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 6.9 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.6 bpg and 2.1 3pg on 50.1% shooting through 47 games.
The Lakers are 24-23 with James and 7-11 without him this season.
Also read: Kevin Garnett believes there is a clear rift between LeBron James and Anthony Davis: "No one wants to say this s**t out loud!"